Ian McIntosh Cause of Death, Bio, Age, Wiki, Age, Net Worth, Career, Family
South African rugby was left in mourning on Wednesday after learning of the death of legendary former Springboks and Sharks coach Ian McIntosh at the age of 84.
McIntosh passed away in a hospital in Durban after battling cancer.
Ian McIntosh Biography
He was born in Zimbabwe in 1938 and had a lengthy coaching career which started in the country of his birth, and continued in South Africa where he had great success at provincial level.
McIntosh famously guided the Sharks to their first Currie Cup title in 1990 and was the Springboks coach in 1993 and 1994.
He was in charge of the Boks in 12 Tests during that period which included the team’s victory over the Wallabies in 1993 – the last time they managed that feat in that city until they did it again last year.
After that initial triumph in 1990, the Sharks won three more Currie Cup titles under McIntosh’s guidance in 1992, 1995 and 1996 and he was also in charge when the Sharks reached their first Super Rugby final in 1996 – which lost to the Blues.
When his coaching career ended McIntosh was a Springbok selector for 13 years and he also served as a mentor for numerous South African national coaches in the senior and junior ranks. He also stayed in touch with the game through his involvement with the South African Rugby Legends Association (SARLA).
McIntosh’s contribution to the game was recognised in 2013 when he received World Rugby’s Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service for his achievement in changing the face of rugby in South Africa.
South African Rugby Union president Mark Alexander paid tribute to McIntosh for serving the game with distinction.
“‘Mac’ left an indelible mark on the global rugby landscape, but even more so in South Africa and with his beloved Sharks,” Alexander told the Springboks’ official website.
“He was a rugby man through and through, someone who never stopped learning, coaching, education and giving back.
“He will be remembered as Springbok and Sharks coach, who plotted the unthinkable in 1990 when the ‘Banana Boys’ beat the mighty Bulls in the Currie Cup final in Pretoria, but later in his life, along with SARLA, ‘Mac’ did magnificent work in uplifting the less fortunate, using rugby as a tool to bring smiles to the faces of thousands of children through the years.
“’Mac’ never stopped working and believed in giving back to the game that he loved so much. As South African rugby, we owe him so much gratitude for what he’s done, and we honour him for the role he played in the game, both here and internationally.
Condolences to his family
“We are thinking of Rhona, his wife of almost 60 years, and their three sons, Ross, Craig and Evan, as well as the rest of the McIntosh family, friends and other loved ones in this very difficult time. May you find solace in the memories of a man who will forever be remembered as a pioneer in rugby and whose influence stretched over generations.
“Rest in peace, Master.”
The Sharks paid tribute to their former coach on their official Twitter account.
https://twitter.com/SharksRugby/status/1643513116431376384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1643513116431376384%7Ctwgr%5E6c07cbab942423233087814e7cf6db6a2b1b8db0%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.planetrugby.com%2Fnews%2Fian-mcintosh-south-african-rugby-legend-passes-away-after-battle-with-cancer
Former Springbok wing Bryan Habana also paid his respects to McIntosh with this tweet.
RIP Master 💔💔
Mr Ian Mac was a truly remarkable man, mentor, coach, husband, father and human being 😔
His passion and dedication to the game of the rugby was beyond measure!!
His love for life and humour made a positive impact to all those who got the privilege to meet him.… pic.twitter.com/wI4QaPNf3u
— Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana) April 5, 2023