Rugby community mourns Rainer
Rainer Wellmann will be laid to rest on Saturday morning.
RHINOS rugby player Rainer Wellmann, who was accidentally shot during a hunting expedition in Melmoth on Saturday, will be laid to rest this weekend.
Tributes have poured in from the local rugby fraternity for the 23-year-old loose forward,who formed part of the Rhinos Premier Division squad this season.
The Empangeni resident sustained fatal neck and stomach wounds after being shot once with a shotgun while hunting on Boshoek Farm.
According to eShowe police spokesperson Tienkie van Vuuren, Wellmann died on the way to KwaMagwase Hospital.
The Maritzburg College old boy applied his rugby trade in Oakes, North Dakota in the USA in 2013, while working as a farm manager.
The Zululand community rallied around the family with messages of support on various social media platforms.
‘The Empangeni Rugby Football Club is deeply saddened to have lost such a talented young player who would have made a huge impact and played a major role in our plans going forward in 2015,’ said Empangeni Rugby Football Club (ERFC) Chairman Simon Harvey.
‘Our deepest and sincerest condolences go out to his family at this rough time in their life. They are in our thoughts and our prayers are with them,’ he said.
‘Our thoughts are with you and your family from all of us at the ERFC,’ said fellow Rhinos rugby player and Club Captain, Clinton Woodley.
Melmoth police have confirmed that they are investigating a case of murder.
The funeral service will take place at the Family Victory Church in Empangeni at 11am on Saturday.
Rhinos players are expected to show their support at the funeral, donned in their pre-match uniform as a mark of respect for their fallen comrade and the game he so loved.
