Cape Town - Former Springbok wing Darius Botha was "a great team man", former Bok skipper Wynand Claassen recalls.

Botha died of stomach cancer at the age of 62 on Monday. He was the brother of legendary former Springbok flyhalf, Naas.

Botha, a church minister who received a doctorate in theology in 2016, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in February 2014 and underwent surgery to have parts of his stomach removed. However, in November 2017 it was reported that the cancer had returned.

Botha played one Test for the Springboks, against the All Blacks in Christchurch on August 15, 1981. This was the first in a three-match series which ended with the famous 'Flour Bomb' encounter in Auckland.

Claassen, who was the Springbok captain for the final two Tests of the 1981 tour, told Netwerk24 he will remember Botha as a very positive person, never without a smile.

"We still played golf together last year. Darius was a great team man. During the tour to New Zealand, where we spent a lot of time behind closed doors, he would often preach for us," Claassen said.

Schooled at Hendrik Verwoerd, Botha was Springbok No 522. He also played in five Currie Cup finals for the Blue Bulls.