A giant on and off the field, Collegians RFC president Armie

• Published date: 20 August 2021
• Publication title: Sentinel News

He’s been described as a rugby adminstrator and community leader par excellence, always calm and collected.

Messages of condolences that poured in from across the city bear testimony to the high regard colleagues and rivals had for the big man who was laid to rest last Thursday, August 12, at the Mowbray Muslim Cemetery.

Brink, 54, died on August 11, a day after his birthday and barely a month after his wife Fatima, who died in July.

Originally from District 6, Brink grew up with family in Ottery after his family and others were forcibly moved to Mitchell’s Plain.

Understandably those closest to him are still struggling to come to terms with his departure.

“Boeta Armien or Oupie as the grandkids called him was a man in a million,” says son Ridhaa Damon, former razor-sharp scrumhalf with various clubs, including Collegians, SK Walmer and False Bay RFC.

“He married my mom Fatima when I was 7 years old. It was the best decision my mom could have made. He was quite strict with us as kids and kept us in line. It was exactly what we needed. At the same...