Pregnant partner mourns Worcester rugby player killed in R46 crash - IOL

Breyton Rossouw (25) was tragically killed after being hit by a vehicle on the R46 near Wolseley on Saturday morning.

An aspiring rugby player was killed while travelling to visit his pregnant partner in Hermon.

The 25-year-old Worcester player, Breyton Rossouw, was hit by a vehicle on the R46 near Wolseley on Saturday, 5 September 2026. His partner, Rochelle Filander, who is expecting their baby girl, said he had been planning a better job and a home for his family.His devastated partner, Rochelle Filander, who is expecting their baby girl, said Breyton had been making big plans for their future – including finding a better job and getting a home for his family.

“He was sending his CV everywhere for a better job. He also wanted to buy a house and have us move in together.”

The couple met in November last year and their relationship quickly blossomed.

Filander said Rossouw’s rugby commitments with a local Worcester club meant they could not see each other as often as they wanted.

“He promised that after the rugby season he would come to me and support me during the pregnancy. That is exactly what he did, but his life was stolen on his way to me,” she said.

She said the two were deeply in love.

She added: “There wasn’t a second when he didn’t send me a message or call me.”

Filander said Rossouw’s parents visited her family home in Hermon on the day of the incident.

“I did not even have the strength to face them. I was crying in my room,” she said.

Rochelle Filander mourns the loss of her partner, Breyton Rossouw, while seven months pregnant with their baby girl.

Breyton’s rugby club, Villagers Breërivier Rugby Club, described him as much more than a player.

In a tribute, the club said he was an “excellent rugby player”, a true teammate and “like a brother” to his fellow players.

The club said he gave everything whenever he took to the field and would be remembered for his character, smile, camaraderie and passion for rugby.

“To his rugby family, teammates and the entire Villagers Breërivier family: we mourn together. We lost a player, but more than that – we lost a brother,” the club said.

Western Cape police spokesperson Wesley Twigg confirmed the fatal incident.

“Police members responded to a complaint of an accident and upon arrival on the scene they found the victim who was hit by a vehicle. The victim was declared dead at the scene by medical personnel,” Twigg said.

The circumstances surrounding the crash are under investigation and no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile application anonymously.