Former Sharks and Springbok flanker Solomzi ‘Solly’ Tyibilika has passed away at the age of 32.
While details regarding Solly’s untimely death remain sketchy, early reports suggest that he died as the result of gunshot wounds sustained in a Cape Town pub on Saturday night.
The popular dreadlocked loose forward first came to prominence playing for the Sharks in the early 2000’s before going on to earn a handful of Springbok caps between 2004 and 2006. While the latter parts of his career failed to live up to this early promise, Solly remained a likeable, popular team mate wherever he played and he will be sorely missed by teammates and friends all over the rugby world.
Lala ngoxolo, Solly T. We’ll never forget your wonderful exploits in black and white.
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R.I.P Solly.
He always were in the same situation like Keegan IMO.
R.I.P. Solly T…our prayers goes out to family and friends… 🙁
@Honey Badger (Comment 3) : It’s a shame really.
Such sad news, thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
Very sad news, RIP Solly.
yip this IS kak sad. 🙁
He was a player that never lived up to he’s potential, but never let a side down whether it was the Sharks, Lions, Border or the Boks, saw him play for Border a couple of years back and still lokked like he had it
R.I.P Solly you made your mark on SA and you will be missed
was definitely one of my favourite players while at the sharks. R.I.P. Solly
Rest in Peace Solly. The main thing is that you were one of the first to break the barrier and play for the Boks – that in itself made your career a success.
But forget that – I am just mourning the senseless death of a son of Africa. Go well my brother. 😥
Game that stands out for me: sharks vs brumbies ,dbn 2005 .
He tackled those brumbies tirelessly and hard ( remember the tackle on clyde rathbone?),was prominent ball-in-hand and going nose-to-nose with george smith at the breakdowns.sharks had a quite comfortable win over a dangerous brumbies side ( in a very dismal super rugby season.but the performance of tyibilika was something special that day.)
Very sad news. Poor Solly. Only 32. He was much too young to leave this world. I hope justice will be served.
I’ll best remember Solly as a slightly built loose-forward that had an immediate impact on the provincial scene from the very start as a Shark. Back in those days he was synonymous for arriving early at the tackled ball and for boxing above his weight.
Rest in Peace buddy 🙁
Damn… RIP Solly…
Very sad news. Rest in peace Solly.
Very sad news indeed! RIP Solly, such a pity he couldnt stay on at the Sharks as he really was good on the ground and got through a lot of work…he would have made Alberts and Deysel look even better!
R.I.P Solly.
Great player, gave it all on the field.
I remember when when Jake White was quizzed about selecting him, he replied: “He has never let me down”. That South Africa’s most successful coach had so much faith in him is a testimony to his talent and potential. R.I.P.
R.I.P.
Sad news indeed! R.I.P. Solly
RIP Solly.
Senseless…RIP Solly…
Sad news indeed! 🙁
Our thoughts go out to his family!
Go well, Solly. In your time at the Sharks you were one of my favourite players in the black and white; not only for your appreciable talent on the pitch, but also for your perpetual smile and the clear enthusiasm and love for the game that you radiated.
RIP Solly
RIP Solly. 😥
Rest in peace boet
saw a lot of him in east london and he did have a problem outside of rugby.