We are going to explore Greig Oliver’s cause of death and obituary in relation to inquiries on how the Munster coach died.
Greig Oliver was a Scottish rugby union player turned development officer. As a player, he was a scrum-half, making three appearances for the Scotland national rugby union team. He was the assistant coach of Ireland’s under-20 squad.
Oliver was born on September 12, 1964, in Hawick. On July 3, 2023, at the age of 58, he perished in a paragliding accident near Sea Point, Cape Town, South Africa. Oliver played against Zimbabwe in Wellington at the 1987 Rugby World Cup to make his debut for his country.
It was at Murrayfield during the 1991 Rugby World Cup versus Zimbabwe that he made his last international appearance. Oliver oversaw the rugby program at Garryowen.
Oliver rose to the positions of assistant coach for the Ireland national under-20 rugby union team and elite player development officer for Munster Rugby.
Greig Oliver cause of death and obituary: How did Munster coach die?
Greig Oliver, the rugby coach for Munster, tragically passed away after a paragliding accident in South Africa. The horrifying tragedy happened today in Cape Town as the IRFU oversaw tributes to the rugby hero.
Oliver, 58, was a passenger on a tandem flight over the South African coast near Cape Town. It is believed that along the picturesque Sea Point Promenade, two tandem paragliders collided.
One’s pilot safely dove into the surf after deploying a backup parachute. Tragically, it’s thought that the Irish rugby star fell on rocks about 200 meters away.
Tons of tributes have poured in for the late coach.
Chief Executive Kevin Potts said: “On behalf of the Irish rugby community, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the Oliver family at this extremely sad time.
“Greig was a hugely popular member of staff and played a key role in the development of many young players during his time at Munster Rugby.
“Today’s news is an unspeakable tragedy and our thoughts are with Greig’s wife Fiona, children Jack and Ciara, and his many friends, family and colleagues. May he rest in peace.”
Munster Rugby CEO, Ian Flanagan, added: “On behalf of Munster Rugby, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to Greig’s wife Fiona, son Jack, daughter Ciara, and the wider Oliver family.
“We are all in a state of shock following Greig’s tragic passing. He was a great colleague and friend to so many and will be dearly missed across the Munster and Irish Rugby community.
“Greig made his presence felt each day, he was always there to provide a helping hand and was a hugely popular character with his light-hearted nature and sense of humour.
“He had an infectious enthusiasm for the game and was incredibly passionate about helping young players be the best they can be on and off the field. May he rest in peace.”
The official Facebook page of Garryowen Rugby Club shared thus;
“Greig Oliver RIP All at Garryowen F.C. are deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend and club mate Greig Oliver who was involved in a tragic paragliding accident in Cape Town today. Greig was in South Africa proudly supporting his son Jack who is in Ireland Under 20s squad playing in the World Rugby Under 20 Championships.
We offer our sincere condolences to Fiona, Jack, Ciara, extended Oliver, and McNamara families especially our own Seanie and Marci and a wide circle of friends. Greig was originally from Hawick and a former Scotland International, capped at scrumhalf which included a cap in the Rugby World Cup. However, Greig is more fondly remembered among us as a Garryowen man.
Following in the footsteps of his father-inlaw, Seanie McNamara, Greig took up the position of technical director at Dooradoyle in 2007-08. Greig remained a Garryowen man through and through and made lifelong friendships in Dooradoyle.
A brilliant rugby coach and mentor to so many young players both in Garryowen FC and Munster Rugby as well as Irish underage teams to whom he unselfishly devoted his time. Greig’s commitment to rugby was secondary only to his wife Fiona and children. He was immensely proud of Jack and Ciara, both on and off the pitch. He will be greatly missed by all of us lucky enough to have known him and call him one of our own. A true Blue! RIP Greig.”
