{"id":39146,"date":"2026-07-11T19:27:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T17:27:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=39146"},"modified":"2026-07-11T19:27:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T17:27:15","slug":"jayden-adams-luqobo-makwedini-die-young","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/jayden-adams-luqobo-makwedini-die-young\/","title":{"rendered":"South African Sport Mourns as Jayden Adams and Luqobo Makwedini Die Young"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 \u201cBibo\u201d Makwedini, 20, died in separate incidents.<\/p><div id=\"gaute-4033544943\" class=\"gaute-after-paragraph-1 gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">News of both deaths emerged on Saturday, 11 July, leaving the country\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/orlando-pirates-confirm-departures\/\"><strong>ALSO READ: Orlando Pirates Confirm Seven Player Departures Ahead of 2026\/27 Season<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jayden Adams dies at 25<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adams\u2019 death sent shockwaves through South African football, with the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder regarded as one of the country\u2019s leading young players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cause of his death had not been officially made public at the time of publication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adams featured in all three of Bafana Bafana\u2019s group-stage matches at the tournament. He was an unused substitute during the knockout match against Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019s pre-season preparations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud835\udddd\ud835\uddd4\ud835\uddec\ud835\uddd7\ud835\uddd8\ud835\udde1 \ud835\uddd4\ud835\uddd7\ud835\uddd4\ud835\udde0\ud835\udde6\u2019 \ud835\udde0\ud835\uddd8\ud835\udde1\ud835\udde7\ud835\udde2\ud835\udde5 \ud835\udde6\ud835\udde3\ud835\uddd8\ud835\uddd4\ud835\uddde\ud835\udde6 \ud83d\udd4a\ufe0f<br><br>Brendine Johnson, Jayden Adams\u2019 mentor, has broken his silence following the midfielder\u2019s sudden passing, describing the moment as a devastating shock for the family.<br><br>Johnson said the family is still struggling to process\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/VAekRiLt7t\">pic.twitter.com\/VAekRiLt7t<\/a><\/p>- Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MickyJnr__\/status\/2075915265884262421?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 11, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MickyJnr__\/status\/2075915265884262421\">X(Twitter)<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From Stellenbosch to Sundowns and Bafana Bafana<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adams developed through the Stellenbosch FC academy before signing his first professional contract in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He established himself in the club\u2019s first team and went on to make 139 appearances for Stellenbosch, becoming one of the Cape Winelands club\u2019s most prominent players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During his time at Stellenbosch, Adams helped the club win the 2023 Carling Knockout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His performances eventually earned him a move to Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025, where he continued his domestic career at one of South Africa\u2019s leading football clubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tributes are expected to continue from across South African football as clubs, players and supporters respond to his death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-4033544943\" class=\"gaute-after-paragraph-1 gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rugby mourns Luqobo \u201cBibo\u201d Makwedini<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hours of mourning across the football community were accompanied by further tragedy in South African sport following confirmation of Makwedini\u2019s death at the age of 20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Makwedini was a tighthead prop with French Pro D2 club AS B\u00e9ziers H\u00e9rault and had previously represented South Africa at Under-18 level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to reports, the young rugby player collapsed during a training session at the Stade de la Gayonne on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He was rushed to hospital and died several hours later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Makwedini attended Wynberg Boys\u2019 High School before continuing his rugby career abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He joined the B\u00e9ziers 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">South African rugby prospect Luqobo &#39;Bibo&#39; Makwedini has died at the age of 20 after suffering a cardiac arrest during a training session with French club B\u00e9ziers. Tributes continue to pour in:<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/bgtqx7NBvm\">https:\/\/t.co\/bgtqx7NBvm<\/a><\/p>- Cape {town} Etc (@CapeTownEtc) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CapeTownEtc\/status\/2075860023276634515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 11, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ASBHOfficiel\/status\/2075661037882249229?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2075661037882249229%7Ctwgr%5E3aa48e92c8f7edf0531ca02c1d2823581eedeb57%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Frugby365.com%2Fcountries%2Ffrance%2Frugby-mourns-as-former-sa-u18-prop-dies-at-20%2F\">X(Twitter)<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">B\u00e9ziers pays tribute to young SA prop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AS B\u00e9ziers H\u00e9rault confirmed Makwedini\u2019s death in a statement, with club president and former Springbok captain Bob Skinstad leading the tributes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt 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,\u201d Skinstad said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The club said Makwedini had quickly become a valued member of its structures after joining the training centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHis commitment, kindness and personal qualities deeply impressed everyone at the club,\u201d Skinstad said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">B\u00e9ziers extended its condolences to Makwedini\u2019s family, loved ones, teammates and those who knew him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The club also requested privacy for Makwedini\u2019s family and players as they grieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-4033544943\" class=\"gaute-after-paragraph-1 gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Two young sporting careers cut short<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The deaths of Adams and Makwedini have left two of South Africa\u2019s biggest sporting communities in mourning on the same day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their careers were at different stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 B\u00e9ziers rugby structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both players had followed pathways from South African youth and development systems into elite sporting environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their deaths have prompted an outpouring of grief from supporters as the football and rugby communities process the loss of two young athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What This Means for Gauteng Sports Fans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adams\u2019 death has a direct connection to Gauteng\u2019s football community through Mamelodi Sundowns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His death comes shortly after South Africans watched him represent the country at the World Cup and before his expected return to Sundowns\u2019 pre-season programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Makwedini\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-4033544943\" class=\"gaute-after-paragraph-1 gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ: Jayden Adams and Luqobo Makwedini<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How old was Jayden Adams?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jayden Adams was 25 years old when his death was reported on Saturday, 11 July 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Has Jayden Adams\u2019 cause of death been confirmed?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. The cause of Adams\u2019 death had not been officially made public at the time of publication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who was Luqobo \u201cBibo\u201d Makwedini?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 B\u00e9ziers H\u00e9rault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happened to Makwedini?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Did Jayden Adams play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. Adams featured in all three of Bafana Bafana\u2019s group-stage matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Football and rugby communities mourn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tributes are continuing as South African football and rugby mourn Adams and Makwedini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adams leaves behind a career that took him from the Stellenbosch academy to Mamelodi Sundowns and the international stage with Bafana Bafana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Makwedini was still building his professional career in France after representing South Africa at junior level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Further official information on the circumstances surrounding their deaths will depend on statements from their families, clubs and relevant authorities. <audio autoplay=\"\"><\/audio><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 \u201cBibo\u201d Makwedini, 20, died in separate incidents.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":39153,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"Jayden adams,Luqobo makwedini,mamelodi sundowns","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[360,2287,5871],"ppma_author":[11575],"class_list":["post-39146","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-mamelodi-sundowns","tag-rugby-sa","tag-south-african-sports"],"authors":[{"term_id":11575,"user_id":23,"is_guest":0,"slug":"nomthandazo","display_name":"Nomthandazo Ntisa","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ec3262463e8ed5ea26dca074ed7eff95ffede057639be73a77f7896ccd06170f?s=96&r=g","author_category":"1","first_name":"Nomthandazo","last_name":"Ntisa","user_url":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/","job_title":"Content Editor","description":"Nomthandazo Ntisa is a journalist and Content Editor at What's On G with more than six years of experience in journalism, digital publishing, and content strategy. She covers the people, places, events, and issues shaping Gauteng \u2014 producing stories that help readers understand and connect with life across the province."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39146","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39146"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39146\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39154,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39146\/revisions\/39154"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39153"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39146"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39146"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39146"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=39146"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}