Tributes have been paid to a former Annan rugby player and regional development officer who died suddenly in South Africa on Monday.
Ex-Scotland international Greig Oliver, 58, was involved in a paragliding accident near Sea Point Promenade in Cape Town.
South Africa’s National Sea Rescue Institute said it was investigating the possibility that two tandem paraglides collided in the air.
A statement said one tandem landed safely while Mr Oliver’s pilot landed after deploying a parachute.
Mr Oliver was found on the rocks in the water off-shore. He was given CPR but was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Hawick-born rugby star played for the Annan side while he was employed as Dumfries and Galloway’s development officer in the mid to late 90s.
A statement from the Violetbank club said: “All at Annan rugby are shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Greig Oliver.
“Greig played one season for Annan in 1997/98, scoring seven tries in 15 appearances.
“Greig was a great player, great coach, great man and a great friend to many at Annan Rugby.
“Our thoughts go out to his wife Fiona, children Jack and Ciara and his family at this sad time. RIP Greig.”
The Dumfries and Galloway Rugby Podcast added: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former rugby development officer Greig Oliver following an accident in South Africa on Monday.
“Greig filled the role of rugby development officer in Dumfries and Galloway in the mid 90s before moving to the Borders in 1999.
“Our thoughts are with Greig’s family and his many friends, family and colleagues in rugby.”
Mr Oliver was in South Africa to support his son Jack who is in the Ireland U20s squad for the World Rugby U20s Championship.
The scrum-half played for Scotland in two World Cups and after he retired from the sport he held academy and coaching roles with Scottish Borders and Edinburgh before he moved to Ireland in 2007.
He was the elite performance officer at Munster.
The club’s chief executive Ian Flanagan said: “On behalf of Munster Rugby, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to Greig’s wife Fiona, son Jack, daughter Ciara, and the wider Oliver
family.
“We are all in a state of shock following Greig’s tragic passing. He was a great colleague and friend to so many and will be dearly missed across the Munster and Irish Rugby community.
“He had an infectious enthusiasm for the game and was incredibly passionate about helping young players be the best they can be on and off the field.”
