The tragic loss of rising sporting talent leaves South Africa in mourning. The former SA under-18 rugby player Luqobo “Bibo” Makwedini’s promising career was cut short at the age of 20. The young athlete’s death, alongside that of Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams, 25,has sent shockwaves through the country’s sporting community this past weekend.
Adams was born in Cloetesville, Stellenbosch, and made history as the first academy graduate to sign a professional contract with Stellenbosch FC. He managed to make 139 appearances and helped the club lift the 2023 Carling Knockout trophy during his time there. He transferred to Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025,where he won the South African Premiership and the 2026 CAF Champions League.
On the international stage, he was a key part of the South African squad that earned a bronze medal at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations and started in all three of Bafana Bafana’s group-stage matches during the 2026 World Cup.
Jayden Adams tragically passed away just weeks after representing his country at the Fifa World Cup. Adams’ family confirmed a memorial service which will be held in Stellenbosch on Friday, 17 July 2026, and details for the second memorial service in Pretoria will be announced, giving Mamelodi Sundowns supporters an opportunity to pay their last respects. The family also announced that the funeral will be held on Saturday, 25 July 2026 in Stellenbosch.
Luqobo Makwedini was a highly-rated front-rower originally from the Eastern Cape. He had attended Wynberg Boys’ High School in Cape Town. His performances in the front row earned him national recognition at Under-18 level. He went on to sign a three-year contract with Beziers and was on the cusp of realising his dream of professional senior rugby ahead of the club’s 2026/27 Pro D2 campaign.
Makwedini is said to have collapsed following a morning training session with his French Pro D2 club, AS Beziers Herault, and was rushed to the hospital before he unfortunately passed away hours later.
President Ramaphosa offered condolences to the families of Adams and Makwedini, saying his thoughts are with Adams’ teammates in Bafafa Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns, as well as Luqobo Makwedini’s former SA Under-18 teammates and his club colleagues in France.
“It is particularly tragic that we are suffering the loss of two outstanding young athletes at a time when our nation continues to immerse itself in the FIFA World Cup tournament, as well as the Springboks and Springbok Women’s matches,” said President Ramaphosa.
Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie conveyed his condolences to the families of Luqobo Makwedini and Jayden Adams.
“On behalf of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, I extend my deepest condolences to the two families, the South African Rugby community and the South African Football Association,” he stated.
