Lansdowne Rugby Football Club’s veteran scrumhalf, Joseph “Katiepie” George passed away at the age of 81 at Victoria Hospital on Monday, August 20, following a heart attack and a long battle with dementia.
George grew up in Newlands and moved to Lansdowne, Mitchell’s Plain and later Ottery.
His son-in-law, Crafton Peters said George’s death came as a sudden suprise.
“It’s tough. We’re doing the final preparations for his funeral to take place on Thursday. He was a school teacher all his life and he was very educated,” he said.
Peters said last week they had a braai with his wife and George. It was very sudden. He loved his sports but his preference was always rugby,” said Peters.
George’s old friend and former inside-centre at the club, Gerard Peters said he remembers playing with George 50 years ago.
“He was one of the best scrum-halves I ever played with. Fifty years ago we won the Roach’s Cup together when we were playing for Lansdowne,” he said.
Peters said they represented the SA Rugby Union as two of four coloured players from Lansdowne RFC.
“The Lansdowne team at the time was the first so-called colored’s team that had four SARU team members,” he said.
George’s funeral service will take place at the Good Shepherd Church, in Victoria Road, Grassy Park, from 9am tomorrow.
George leaves behind two daughters and a son. Call 082 562 5176 for more details