South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams has died at the age of 25, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said on Saturday, weeks after the player represented Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“It is with profound shock and a heavy heart that I have learnt of the passing of Jayden Adams, midfielder for Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana, at the age of 25,” McKenzie said in a statement.

The South African Football Players Union also confirmed Adams’s death, describing him as a gifted player and “a proud servant of the game” whose life and career had been cut short.

President Cyril Ramaphosa also said on Saturday that he was mourning Adams alongside former South African Rugby Under-18 prop Luqobo Makwedini, who died at the age of 20.

“It is particularly tragic that we are suffering the loss of two outstanding, young athletes at a time when our nation continues to immerse itself in the FIFA World Cup tournament, as well as the Springboks’ and Springbok Women’s matches against Scotland and the USA Eagles in Pretoria today,” Ramaphosa said.

Born in Komga in the Eastern Cape, Makwedini’s talent on the field earned him a
scholarship to Wynberg Boys’ High School in Cape Town, where his performances in
the front row earned him national recognition at Under-18 level.

He went on to sign a three-year contract with Béziers, and was on the cusp of realising his dream of professional senior rugby ahead of the club’s 2026/27 Pro D2 campaign. It has been reported that he died after a training session with Béziers.

Said McKenzie of Makwedini: “Luqobo represented South Africa with distinction, and his passing is a loss not only to his loved ones but to South African rugby as a whole. May his family find strength and comfort, and may his memory continue to inspire the young players who will follow in his footsteps.”

Despite speculation that Adams may have committed suicide, McKenzie said the cause of his death had not been established.

He appealing to the media and public to avoid speculation while his family and club were given privacy to mourn.

“The cause of Jayden’s passing has not yet been confirmed, and I wish to appeal to members of the media and the public to exercise restraint and compassion, and to refrain from speculation,” McKenzie said.

He said any official information would be communicated by the appropriate parties.

Adams began his career at Stellenbosch FC, progressing through the club’s academy before becoming its first academy graduate to sign a professional contract in August 2020.

He made 139 appearances for Stellenbosch and helped the Cape Winelands club win the 2023 Carling Knockout before joining South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2025, according to the minister’s statement.

McKenzie said Adams later added a domestic Premiership title and a CAF Champions League crown to his honours during his time with the Pretoria club.

“South African football has lost one of its brightest young talents, and our nation mourns alongside his family, his teammates and the millions of supporters who watched him grow from a promising academy prospect into a full Bafana Bafana international,” McKenzie said.

Adams was part of the South African squad that claimed bronze at the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire in 2024 and was selected by coach Hugo Broos for the 2026 World Cup.

He appeared in all three of South Africa’s group matches as Bafana Bafana reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. He was an unused substitute when South Africa were eliminated by co-hosts Canada in the round of 32.

Adams played against Czechia in Atlanta shortly after learning that his grandmother, Marianna Adams, had died hours before the match.

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