Wits and Springbok legend Paul Bayvel passed away
- Suparugby
The former Springbok and Wits scrumhalf Paul Bayvel passed away on Tuesday evening. He was 71 years old.
Bayvel was diagnosed with stomach cancer which spread to his spine earlier this year.
His youngest daughter, Jo-Jo, confirmed that he passed approximately midnight.
He was at home since Monday and surrounded by his wife Denice and two of his daughters.
His younger brother and also a Transvaal scrumhalf, Norman, was shattered earlier this morning but was relieved Paul’s suffering was over.
The elder brother Coke, Paul and Norman all represented Transvaal while a fourth, Nicky, represented the junior teams. All four brothers played rugby for Wits University. Bayvel played 10 Tests for the Springboks between 1974 and 1976.The highlight of his career was playing in all four Tests against the touring All Blacks of 1976, a series the Boks won 3-1.
The Lions Rugby Co described Paul as perhaps the finest scrumhalf ever to don the red-and-white Transvaal jersey.
