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WPRFU pays tribute to Andrew Apollis

PUBLISHED: May 27, 2020


It was with great sadness that the Western Province Rugby Football Union learnt about the passing of Andrew Apollis, long serving member of the WPRFU Disciplinary Committee.

Apollis’ commitment to attend weekly meetings meant he travelled from Paarl to Newlands, confirming his love and support for not only rugby, but WP Rugby particularly.

Apollis was born and grew up in Tulbagh and moved to Paarl in 1970 where he joined the Riverstones Rugby Football Club as a player and shortly thereafter became involved in club rugby administration within the club, deservedly bestowing on him honorable membership in 2018.

Being a member of the Police force, he understandably was a strict disciplinarian, on and off the field of play. His strong leadership traits were underpinned by his unwavering respect for laws, procedures and processes and his focus in life, community and club remained the underprivileged young boys from the local community and being a positive influence in their lives.

In 1980 he became Chairman of Riverstones RFC, later elected as President and in 1981 where he continued to serve until the mid-1990’s. He was appointed manager of the Paarl League team, victors in their competition.

He was later elected as executive member of the Paarl Rugby Code where he served until his sad passing while also serving the Paarl Sport Forum for many years. He continued to play a pivotal role in rugby in Paarl where he supported the establishing of the Paarl Rugby Region in 2007 that is still functioning today. This body honored him in 2016 for his contribution to rugby in the picturesque town of Paarl.

Apollis was an active member of the Boland Cricket Executive Committee and President of the Paarl East Cricket Club.

Andrew Apollis, a true legend of sport, rugby and cricket specifically, will be sorely missed for his passion to serve sport in his community as a volunteer and champion of many sportsmen from his beloved Paarl.

We salute a great servant of the game.