Community members joined friends and teammates of Emmanuel Makwiting (17) at Hoërskool Jeugland yesterday afternoon for a remembrance ceremony.

Emmanuel tragically died on Monday after sustaining a serious neck injury during a rugby game against Pietersburg High School in Polokwane on July 13.

Paramedics stabilised Emmanuel on the field, and he was rushed to hospital.

According to information available to Kempton Express, Emmanuel suffered a fracture to his neck vertebrae.

Hoërskool Jeugland said in a Facebook post that Jeugies “lost a friend and a ‘brother’, but heaven gained an angel.”

“Hoërskool Jeugland would like to extend their deepest condolences to his family. Manu, you will be dearly missed by everyone who had the privilege to know you.”

Emmanuel was the captain of the school’s second rugby team and in the position of forward.