Solly Tyibilika
Full names: Solomzi
Date of birth: 23 Jun 1979
Place of birth: Port Elizabeth
School: Loyiso
Springbok no: 763
Springbok debut province: Sharks
Physical: 1.90m, 94.0kg
Date of death: 13 Nov 2011 (Age 32)
Test summary: Tests: 8 Tries: 3
First Test: 27 Nov 2004 Age 25 - Flank against Scotland at Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Last Test: 26 Aug 2006 Age 27 - Flank against New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Tours Wales, Ireland, England, Scotland & Argentina 2004 Argentina, Wales & France 2005
Test history:
DateAgePositionOpponentVenueResultScoreProvince
27 Nov 2004 25Flank Scotland Murrayfield, Edinburgh Win: 45-101 try Sharks
04 Dec 2004 25Flank Argentina Velez Sarsfield Stadium, Buenos Aires Win: 39-7  Sharks
11 Jun 2005 25Flank Uruguay Basil Kenyon Stadium, East London Win: 134-32 tries Sharks
23 Jul 2005 26Flank Australia Ellispark, Johannesburg Win: 33-20  Sharks
05 Nov 2005 26Flank Argentina Velez Sarsfield Stadium, Buenos Aires Win: 34-23  Sharks
22 Jul 2006 27Flank New Zealand Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington Lose: 17-35  Sharks
05 Aug 2006 27Flank Australia Stadium Australia, Sydney Lose: 18-20  Sharks
26 Aug 2006 27Flank New Zealand Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Lose: 26-45  Sharks

Former Springbok flank Solomzi “Solly” Tyibilika was gunned down in a hail of bullets in Nyanga, Western Cape in the early hours of Sunday, November 13, 2011. He was 32.

The dread-locked Tyibilika made a name for himself as a fearless, hard-tackling flank, and represented South Africa in eight Tests between 2004 and 2006.

While playing for the Sharks in 2004, he made his Test debut for the Springboks against Scotland on the year-end tour, and celebrated his debut with a try. A week later he was in Beunos Aires and played in a Test against Argentina.

In 2005 he was a member of the Springbok team that whipped Uruguay 134-3 here. On that occasion he scored two tries.

In 2007 he joined the Border Bulldogs but was often in trouble with the coach for failing to turn up for practice sessions and he was suspended on more than one occasion. He also captained the Bulldogs in some matches in 2009.

He moved to Cape Town and was the Hamiltons Under 19 coach at the time of his death.

Tyibilika was born in Port Elizabeth on June 23, 1979 and was educated at Loyiso High School.

- Peter Martin