( CNN ) -- Former South African rugby World Cup winner Ruben Kruger has passed away following a long battle with brain cancer . The ex-Cheetahs and Bulls flanker was first diagnosed with the illness during the early 2000s at the end of a successful career that saw him earn 36 Springboks caps . Kruger , who was just two months short of his 40th birthday , made his debut against Argentina in Buenos Aires during 1993 and was named South African Rugby Player of the Year in 1995 -- the year the country lifted the World Cup . `` Ruben Kruger was the epitome of the Springbok flanker , tough , indomitable and with an outstanding work ethic , '' Oregan Hoskins , president of the South African Rugby Union ( SARU ) , told reporters . `` When Ruben was on the field you always knew that the Springboks would not be beaten without a tremendous battle . `` Our prayers have been with him through his battles against illness and it is very sad to hear of his early passing . Our thoughts are with his young family and we extend to them our sincerest condolences . '' Kruger made his final appearance in the green and gold against New Zealand in 1999 .
Former South African rugby World Cup winner Ruben Kruger passes away . The flanker dies aged 39 following a long battle with brain cancer . Kruger was named Player of the Year in 1995 , the year the Springboks won the World Cup .