By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Tributes continue to pour in for legendary former Springbok and Sharks head coach Ian McIntosh who died in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
McIntosh coached the Springboks in 1993 and 1994 and would later serve as a selector for the national team.
Despite never playing for his country as a player, he became acquainted with coaching in the 1970s under the tutelage of the then Welsh Rugby Union coaching director Ray Williams.
He later took charge of the former Zimbabwe national team, although his biggest achievement ever was taking charge of the South African national side.
The year before the 1995 World Cup he was sacked as national coach following a series defeat to the All Blacks in New Zealand in mid-1994.
In total, he oversaw 12 Tests as a coach, with the Springboks winning four games, drawing two and losing six.
McIntosh coached the legendary Natal team during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He became a national figure after Natal won their first Currie Cup in 1990, their centenary year. His success with Natal led to him coaching the Springbok side.
Four-time Currie Cup winner as Coach.
The Sharks have named their main entrance gate at Kings Park after former coach Ian McIntosh.
“Mr Mac, as he was affectionately known, was our most successful coach in the history of Sharks rugby and lead us into the professional era. He was until the end a true ambassador of the black and white jersey,” the Sharks posted on their official Twitter account.
“Thank you Mr Mac for everything you’ve done for our beautiful game. Your contribution can never be summed up in a few words and is eternal.”
Meanwhile, tributes from the South African rugby community began pouring since the news of his passing.
Springbok legend Kobus Wiese is one of the many who paid tribute to the coaching great.
“Ian Mcintosh has passed away, a truly sad day,” Wiese said on social media.
“Fewer men have left such an impact through the great game of rugby on so many lives.
“His passion and commitment to the game were legendary. Mooi loop Uncle, may you rest in peace.”
Former Lions and Bok assistant coach Swys de Bruin also shared his condolences.
“Rest in peace, Mac. I Learned so much from you! Will be forever grateful. May God protect and comfort Rona, Craig and the rest of your family.”
Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, paid tribute saying ‘Mac’ left an indelible mark on the global rugby landscape, but even more so in South Africa and with his beloved Sharks.”
“He was an intensely passionate rugby man through and through, someone who never stopped learning, coaching, educating 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.