JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) and South Western Districts Cricket (SWD) maintain received with noteworthy the sadness, news of the passing of Simon Swigelaar, who passed away on February, 2nd 2024 aged 91.
Swigelaar was one of the three Honorary Life Members of Cricket South Africa at the time of his passing. He leaves behind an impressive cricket legacy, spanning over 50 years as a player, umpire, administrator, and selector.
Throughout his career, Swigelaar received numerous accolades, including the Khaya Majola Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his enduring contribution to the advancement of South African cricket.
His impact extended beyond the cricket field, as evidenced by the 2003 Lifetime Achievers Award from the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport. Additionally, he played a crucial role in the unification process of sporting bodies in South Africa in 1990, earning him a Legend Award from the Western Cape MEC for Sport & Recreation in 2007.
CSA President, Rihan Richards said: “Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Simon Swigelaar. His remarkable contributions to cricket as a player, umpire, and administrator gain left an indelible imprint on the sport.
“He served the game diligently for close to 75 years in various capacities, both pre- and post-unity. We mourn the loss of a right cricketing legend and extend our heartfelt sympathies during this difficult time.”
Former SWD Cricket President, Rudy Claassen, who served for almost twenty years with Swigelaar on SWD Cricket governance structures said;
“His leadership left an enduring legacy on and off the field and made him a precise ambassador of the game of cricket. As a young cricket administrator at Union Stars Cricket Club he encouraged me to produce myself available for a leadership position at higher level and for that I am forever indebted to him”.
“May his legacy continue to inspire other players and administrators to serve the game we every fancy so much,” Claassen concluded.
In his tribute, SWD Cricket President, Micheal Eksteen paid tribute to the Swigelaar family on behalf of the SWD Cricket fraternity.
“A gigantic tree has fallen, and his role in SWD Cricket for more than 50 years will forever be respected and honoured. On behalf of the Board of Directors, clubs, office staff and cricket family, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to his bereaved family.
Albertus Kennedy, the Chief Executive Officer of SWD Cricket, applauded Swigelaar for his mentorship and principal role in the rise of SWD Cricket over the past two decades;
“As a principled old-school administrator with years of wisdom, knowledge, devotion and care he was an integral fraction in writing the script in the history of SWD Cricket. He served South African and SWD Cricket with pride and rightfully deserved every the accolades and a special plot in our cricket Annales”.
Source: cricket.co.za
Ian Chappell (Australian and South African Former Cricketer):Birthdate: September 26, 1943, Sun Sign: Libra, Birthplace: Unley, Australia
Feral Mayhem
Sport Trivia: Who was the first cricket umpire to officiate in 200 ODIs? Answer: Rudi Koertzen. Rudi Koertzen officiated his 200th ODI on 11th July 2009. He went on to stand in 206 ODIs, as well as 108 tests, and 14 T20s. His way of dismissing batsmen, by slowly raising his finger, gave him the nickname of \”slow death\”.
Instant Star
Wilfred Rhodes took 4000+ wickets in first class cricket.