The WPRFU was deeply saddened at the passing of Judge Pat Tebbutt, who was a stalwart of rugby unity in Western Province.

Tebbutt, a patron of the UCTRFC, lived a long and fulfilling life which saw him contribute much to rugby both as a player and administrator.

President of the Western Province Rugby Football Union, Mr Thelo Wakefield, reflected on the crucial role Judge Tebutt played in the transition to unification of rugby in the Western Province.

“In 1992, five unions met with the Western Province Rugby Football Union: Tygerberg, Western Province Rugby Union Green Point, Somerset Rugby Union, City and Suburban Rugby Union and Western Board which was Gugulethu based.

Those five unions played under the banner of the South African Rugby Union and met with the WP Federation at Newlands, which consisted of the coloured SA Rugby Federation and the black SA Rugby Association.

The first meeting took place in the Coloured Representative Council in Bellville South where the two sides started exploratory talks about unifying rugby in Western Province.

It was unanimously decided to use Newlands as a base where all future meetings would be held. What we needed was a person that could act as a facilitator between the two entities – SARU and the SA Rugby Board.

The first task was to get an acceptable candidate who could facilitate the process of unifying rugby in the peninsula and adjacent areas. With that came a lot of scepticism because the main building block of the process was trust. The name of Judge Patt Tebbutt came up and the Judge’s first words were, ‘gentleman I am not here to take sides, I am here to forge unity between the various rugby entities and to make WP a rugby home which is acceptable to all concerned.’

Those words impressed us a lot because being a judge, we could rely on his honesty, integrity and sound judgement. These values and qualities were shown throughout the entire process.

The judge made a very big impression on us because he never went back on his word of not taking sides.

The judge had that capability to get the various entities to speak to each other in an acceptable manner and kept us focused on the job at hand which was to forge unity.

Through his efforts we could cement long lasting relationships and at the end of the day we could say that the judge did a wonderful job.

The way he approached very sensitive issues at a very turbulent but exciting time in our history was commendable. He could demand respect and he got it from all the parties concerned.

Under his able leadership and wonderful approach to sensitive matters, the six entities came together as one and today we have unity in rugby in the Western Province.

What remains now for all of us is to stand together to build WP into the rugby unity that we would like it to be, which is strong and a global player.

If we do this, each one of us, the clubs, administrators and players, will build on the legacy that Judge Tebbutt left for us.

During this year, we will celebrate 25 years of unity in WP Rugby. we will make a point to honour the Judge posthumously for his efforts. He deserves that honour.

I want to thank his wife Gillian for the support she gave the judge Ove the years as along with the judge she has been a regular visitor to the President’s suite at DHL Newlands,” said Wakefield.

Former President of the Western Province Rugby Football Union, Mr Tobie Titus, added his voice to those paying tribute to Judge Tebbutt.

“The Judge was a rugby man through and through who performed an important role at a very sensitive stage of the transition to unification in rugby.

“Our thoughts are with his family and all those in rugby who have lost an ally who truly loved the game,” he said.