DARTS star Wynand Havenga has died aged 59, the PDC have confirmed.
Havenga made history in 2007 as the first South African player to compete in the PDC World Darts Championship.
GettyWynand Havenga has passed away aged 59[/caption]
GettyHavenga impressed on the darts circuit[/caption]
Havenga was born in Cape Town in 1965 and took up darts professionally in his early 20s.
But it was not until 2006 that he came into the sport’s public eye when he saw off 100 others to be crowned South African Masters champion.
Havenga’s victory at his home tournament saw him given a chance to perform on the global stage at the World Championships in 2007.
He came through qualifying and stunned No26 seed Steve Maish in round one.
Havenga went onto beat former finalist Peter Manley to reach the last 16 at Ally Pally.
In their statement paying tribute, the PDC wrote: “We are saddened to learn that Wynand Havenga has passed away.
“Our thoughts and condolences go to his family and friends.”
He also competed in the Australian Open Players Championship and South African Masters event.
The latter saw him lose to James Wade in Johannesburg.
After leaving the sport due to a shoulder injury, he later became manager of a motorcycle shop.
Fans took to social media to pay tribute to Havenga.
One tweeted: “Extremely sad news, gone way too soon.”
While a second wrote: “Terrible news. What a player he was. RIP Springbok.”
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