The Western Province Rugby Football Union passed its sincerest condolences to the family of Goodwood RFC captain Kyle Barnes who sadly passed away on Thursday as the result of a rugby-related injury.

Barnes was injured in the Super League C encounter between Goodwood RFC and Strand RFC at Gustrouw Sports Grounds in Strand on Saturday, September 15.

He underwent surgery at Somerset West Mediclinic, but unfortunately did not recover and passed away on Thursday.

The WPRFU hosted Barnes’ family at DHL Newlands on Thursday, where his twins Caylib and Caylin were presented with bicycles for their eighth birthday. The entire DHL Western Province Currie Cup squad and management were also present to brighten the twins’ birthday.

WPRFU President, Mr Thelo Wakefield, said that the thoughts of everyone at the union are with the Barnes family.

“When tragedy strikes it is important that we as a rugby community stand together and we would like to offer our full support to the Barnes family at this difficult time.

“It was heartening to see the players and administrators make the effort to be there for the family in what is an extremely difficult time for everyone involved,” he said.

DHL Western Province will wear black armbands in their Currie Cup encounter against Tafel Lager Griquas at DHL Newlands on Saturday and there will also be a minute’s silence before the game in memory of Barnes and Benny Alexander who was a WPRFU Executive Committee member from 2007-2010 and executive member of Tygerberg Rugby Club.