Rugby-Two South African provincial players killed in car crash

CAPE TOWN, July 25 ((Reuters) Two South African provincial players were killed in a car crash in the Free State and three others were seriously injured.

The two players that died yesterday were prop Nardus Wessels 22, and fullback Ashley Mapisa, 23. According to police spokesperson Magda Muller, the minibus they were travelling in, overturned after a tyre burst.

The two players were killed instantly.

Cedric Mkhize, 22, one of the three seriously injured players, suffered severe spinal trauma and was unlikely to play again, Griffons Rugby Union president Jan Marais told the Afrikaans language Volksblad newspaper.

Mkhize played seven Super 14 matches for the Sharks in 2005 and was a member of the South African Under-21 team that won the world championships in the same year.

REUTERS SBC HT1530