South African sport is mourning the deaths of two young athletes after Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams, 25, and former South Africa Under-18 rugby prop Luqobo “Bibo” Makwedini, 20, died in separate incidents.
News of both deaths emerged on Saturday, 11 July, leaving the country’s football and rugby communities grieving two promising careers cut short. Adams had represented Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup only weeks earlier, while Makwedini was building his professional rugby career in France.
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Jayden Adams dies at 25
Adams’ death sent shockwaves through South African football, with the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder regarded as one of the country’s leading young players.
The cause of his death had not been officially made public at the time of publication.
His death comes weeks after he represented Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where South Africa reached the Round of 32 before a 1-0 defeat to Canada.
Adams featured in all three of Bafana Bafana’s group-stage matches at the tournament. He was an unused substitute during the knockout match against Canada.
The midfielder was among the Sundowns players who had been granted additional leave following their international duties and was expected to return to the club’s pre-season preparations.
From Stellenbosch to Sundowns and Bafana Bafana
Adams developed through the Stellenbosch FC academy before signing his first professional contract in 2020.
He established himself in the club’s first team and went on to make 139 appearances for Stellenbosch, becoming one of the Cape Winelands club’s most prominent players.
During his time at Stellenbosch, Adams helped the club win the 2023 Carling Knockout.
His performances eventually earned him a move to Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025, where he continued his domestic career at one of South Africa’s leading football clubs.
Adams also represented South Africa internationally and was part of the Bafana Bafana squad that won bronze at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
His appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup marked another major point in a career that had progressed from academy football to the international stage.
Tributes are expected to continue from across South African football as clubs, players and supporters respond to his death.
Rugby mourns Luqobo “Bibo” Makwedini
Hours of mourning across the football community were accompanied by further tragedy in South African sport following confirmation of Makwedini’s death at the age of 20.
Makwedini was a tighthead prop with French Pro D2 club AS Béziers Hérault and had previously represented South Africa at Under-18 level.
According to reports, the young rugby player collapsed during a training session at the Stade de la Gayonne on Friday.
He was rushed to hospital and died several hours later.
Media reports have indicated that Makwedini may have suffered a cardiac arrest. However, the exact cause of death had not been officially confirmed at the time of publication.
Makwedini attended Wynberg Boys’ High School before continuing his rugby career abroad.
He joined the Béziers academy ahead of the 2025/26 season and was viewed as a young prospect with the potential to compete for a place in the senior squad.
Béziers pays tribute to young SA prop
AS Béziers Hérault confirmed Makwedini’s death in a statement, with club president and former Springbok captain Bob Skinstad leading the tributes.
“It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the tragic passing of our young player, Luqobo (Bibo) Makwedini, at the age of 20,” Skinstad said.
The club said Makwedini had quickly become a valued member of its structures after joining the training centre.
“His commitment, kindness and personal qualities deeply impressed everyone at the club,” Skinstad said.
Béziers extended its condolences to Makwedini’s family, loved ones, teammates and those who knew him.
The club also requested privacy for Makwedini’s family and players as they grieve.
Two young sporting careers cut short
The deaths of Adams and Makwedini have left two of South Africa’s biggest sporting communities in mourning on the same day.
Their careers were at different stages.
At 25, Adams had already represented Bafana Bafana at an Africa Cup of Nations and a FIFA World Cup. He had played for Stellenbosch and Sundowns and established himself in South African professional football.
Makwedini, at 20, was at an earlier stage of his professional journey. The former SA Under-18 player had moved to France and was developing within the Béziers rugby structures.
Both players had followed pathways from South African youth and development systems into elite sporting environments.
Their deaths have prompted an outpouring of grief from supporters as the football and rugby communities process the loss of two young athletes.
What This Means for Gauteng Sports Fans
Adams’ death has a direct connection to Gauteng’s football community through Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Pretoria-based club has one of the largest supporter bases in South African football, and Adams had become part of a squad competing at domestic and continental level.
His death comes shortly after South Africans watched him represent the country at the World Cup and before his expected return to Sundowns’ pre-season programme.
Makwedini’s death has also resonated with South African rugby followers, particularly those who follow the school and junior rugby systems that develop players for local and international clubs.
For sports supporters, the deaths have brought simultaneous mourning across football and rugby, with two young South Africans dying while pursuing careers at elite level.
FAQ: Jayden Adams and Luqobo Makwedini
How old was Jayden Adams?
Jayden Adams was 25 years old when his death was reported on Saturday, 11 July 2026.
Has Jayden Adams’ cause of death been confirmed?
No. The cause of Adams’ death had not been officially made public at the time of publication.
Who was Luqobo “Bibo” Makwedini?
Makwedini was a 20-year-old South African tighthead prop who represented South Africa at Under-18 level and was playing in France with AS Béziers Hérault.
What happened to Makwedini?
Reports said Makwedini collapsed during a training session and was rushed to hospital, where he later died. A suspected cardiac arrest has been reported, but the exact cause of death had not been officially confirmed.
Did Jayden Adams play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Yes. Adams featured in all three of Bafana Bafana’s group-stage matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Football and rugby communities mourn
Tributes are continuing as South African football and rugby mourn Adams and Makwedini.
Adams leaves behind a career that took him from the Stellenbosch academy to Mamelodi Sundowns and the international stage with Bafana Bafana.
Makwedini was still building his professional career in France after representing South Africa at junior level.
Further official information on the circumstances surrounding their deaths will depend on statements from their families, clubs and relevant authorities.
