Former South Africa hooker Lukas van Biljon is said to be "broken and devastated" after his father was killed following a farm attack.
Andre van Biljon, 70, died from gunshot wounds after being shot three times in the chest at midnight on Saturday. His son Lukas, 47, was also stabbed during the attack.
Six armed men had allegedly stormed the family farm at Oranjeville in Free State Province, allegedly also tying up Lukas' children with cable ties during the incident.
Lukas' father Andre had tried to reach a radio to alert his fellow farmers, but is reported to have been spotted and shot three times. Having been rushed to Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein, he sadly died on Tuesday.
A close farmer friend told the Daily Mail: "Lukas is broken and devastated and along with the van Biljon family had been with Andre at his bedside since he was operated on. But they were serious injuries and his body family gave out on him. They shot him from close range in cold blood. He was an old man and could not fight back. Lukas said he has been greatly comforted by the world of rugby coming together to support him and his family along with the local farming community."
South African Police spokesman Captain Loraine Earle said two of the alleged attackers had been arrested after local farmers had set up road blocks to try and catch them.
"Just after midnight on Saturday the police were called to a farm at Oranjeville belonging to the Van Biljon family where two men had suffered injuries," said Earle. "It is alleged that six armed men entered the house and tied up the children with cable ties and a 47-year-old man was stabbed and his 70-year-old father was shot. Two men were arrested and charged with house robbery and attempted murder but that charge has now been upgraded to murder following the death of Mr van Biljon. We are still looking for the other four men involved in this attack."
The former Sharks hooker played 13 times for his country between 2001 and 2003.
READ NEXT:
Popular Wales international to play final match in 24 hours as he starts new path
Wales international moves to England and Tipuric announcement a 'massive shock'
Alun Wyn Jones to play for hometown club once more as coach expects him to carry on
Wales international to meet with coaches to understand why he's been dropped
