Western Province Rugby is saddened to learn of the passing of accomplished player, coach, administrator and rugby man Dougie Dyers.
Dyers passed away on Tuesday at the age of 86, which is a loss that will be felt right through the wider rugby community in Cape Town and beyond.
A fearsome loose forward in his day, Dyers represented Ramblers Rugby Club in Parow and Blue Birds Rugby Club in Bellville.
In 1971 Dyers was appointed captain of a Proteas team that took on England and went on to lead the same team against the British and Irish Lions in 1974.
Following his playing days, Dyers made the transition into coaching and took charge of the SA Barbarians team in 1979.
He was a Springbok selector and also took up a position for the South African Rugby Board in the 1980s, where he worked selflessly as an administrator to grow the game in different communities.
He also made key contributions in the development structures of the Western Province Rugby Football Union in the 1990s and served on the executive committee as vice-president.
Dyers will be long remembered for a life of service to the game of rugby and its growth in the Western Cape.