Tributes paid to school rugby photographer Thys Lombard after death during surfing competition

The South African rugby community is mourning the death of Thys Lombard, the much-loved school sports photographer whose images documented generations of young players across the country.

Lombard died on Friday, 14 August, while attending a surfing competition at Jongensfontein. Extensive attempts were made to revive him with CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

News of his death prompted an outpouring of tributes on social media from people across South African rugby, many of whom had come to know him through his work at school matches and events.

Lombard was a familiar presence at school rugby grounds around the country. His photographs captured some of the sport’s most memorable school-level action, while also providing a visual record of players who would later progress to the professional game.

Andy Daniel, a SuperSchools Sport broadcaster and presenter of the NovaNews vodcast The Rugby Factory, was among those to pay tribute.

“He was rugby-mad and immensely proud to be an old Paarl Gim boy. After school, he worked in the wine industry for many years before deciding to focus on his photography.”

Daniel recalled how Lombard’s presence had become part of the experience of attending a rugby match.

“When you turned up to a rugby match, you would always start looking around for him. He always had the biggest smile, was always pleased to see you and always had a story to tell about players he had met,” Daniel said.

Lombard’s connection with the game extended well beyond taking photographs. His enthusiasm for rugby, his knowledge of its players and his willingness to share stories made him a recognisable and warmly regarded figure within the school rugby community.

Daniel said Lombard’s work had made him an exceptional storyteller, using his photography to record the development of players throughout their careers.

“Many South African rugby players were captured by his lens from their school rugby days. He touched past, present and future Springbok players with his photography. Players such as Markus Muller and Damian Willemse will attest to this.”

The tribute also highlighted the breadth of Lombard’s contribution. His photographs connected different generations of South African rugby, preserving images from the school careers of players who went on to become Springboks, while continuing to cover those still making their way through the sport.

“He was an all-round great guy, rugby-mad through and through, and above all a true gentleman. He always had time for everybody and a story to tell. His smile and lens will be missed across the country.”

Lombard’s death has therefore been felt not only as the loss of a photographer, but also as the passing of someone whose warmth, humour and dedication helped make him a valued part of rugby life in South Africa.