Six rugby players from local club feared drowned

A rugby player has drowned and five more are missing after being swept away in a post-training swim off a South African beach…

A rugby player has drowned and five more are missing after being swept away in a post-training swim off a South African beach in Pretoria.

Lifeguards rescued 15 of the players, but were unable to resuscitate one of the men after they were caught out by strong winds which created the rough conditions on the water.

Helicopters were being used as the search continued after the incident on Sunday. Searchers patrolled the coastline on horses and all-terrain vehicles, and police divers were called in.

Mncedisi Mazomba, a player- manager for the Motherwell rugby club, said counselling had been arranged for relatives. The team was formed in 1992 as an outlet for boys and young men from the Port Elizabeth township.