Stellenbosch FC and South Africa U20 midfielder Oshwin Andries died after suffering multiple stab wounds, South Africa's police service confirmed.
Andries, the captain of South Africa's U-20 men's football team, died at the age of 19, six days after being stabbed repeatedly. According to local reports, Andries had been treated for his wounds initially, then released from hospital. Days later, he died while being rushed to hospital, again, by his family.
Police spokesperson captain Nowonga Sukwana was quoted on IOL: "Oshwin Andries passed away after his family took him to the hospital.
"He was treated for stab wounds and released, and then his family took him to Paarl hospital. Circumstances around his stabbing, are still under investigation."
Andries's brother, Lee-Irwin Andries, told the publication that the 19-year-old had been stabbed during an altercation at a party.
Lee-Irwin alleged: "He was making a joke and that irked the suspect. He stabbed my brother from the side, repeatedly."
As for the return to hospital days later, Lee-Irwin continued: "My mommy was taking him to the hospital yesterday, and he passed away in her car, in her arms. She is extremely distraught."
He added: "It looked like he was taking a nap.
"When I looked at his body, you could see he was fighting very hard and that he was tired and it really looked like he was taking a nap, he looked very peaceful.
"It's very hard for me, I helped my mother raising him. I was his father figure and we had a bond like no other."
Stellenbosch-born Andries studied at Cloetesville High School before graduating from the SFC Academy to the Stellenbosch first team squad.
He made his South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) debut aged 18 against Baroka in December 2021, and became the club's youngest ever top-flight goalscorer when he netted against Royal AM in August, only days after making his first Stellenbosch start -- and winning the Man of the Match award -- against domestic giants Orlando Pirates.
"It is with deep sadness that Stellenbosch F.C. has learned of the untimely passing of promising young defender, Oshwin Andries," read a club statement sent to ESPN on Saturday.
"His presence, both on the pitch and off it, will be sorely missed. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Stellenbosch F.C. are with his family, friends and loved ones."
"Till we meet again," posted teammate Lee Langeveldt on Twitter along with a photo of Andries, while Stellenbosch defender Dean Van Rooyen also shared his own tribute to the youngster.
The highly rated Andries featured for the club as recently as Jan. 27, when he played the entirety of Stellenbosch's 3-2 victory over Cape Town City.
At international level, the versatile defender captained South Africa during the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, being named Man of the Match in October's 5-2 victory over Namibia.