DURBAN, South Africa, Feb 18, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Long-time friend and team-mate 
Barry Richards said "a giant has fallen" as he paid tribute to former South 
African all-rounder Mike Procter, who died aged 77 near Durban on Saturday.

"We were part of each other's lives," said Richards of his 65-year friendship 
with Procter.

Richards and Procter, acknowledged as two of South Africa's greatest 
cricketers, played against each other as schoolboys and went on to play 
together for the Natal province and South Africa at both junior and 
international level.

"Anyone who played for Natal, Rhodesia and Gloucestershire in the 1960s and 
70s knew that they were in the presence of a genius," said Richards.

Procter and Richards teamed up for four Tests, starring for South Africa as 
they won all four matches against Australia in 1969-70 before their 
international careers were cut short by the international isolation caused by 
South Africa's apartheid policy.

Vintcent van der Bijl, who formed a devastating new ball partnership for 
Natal with Procter, described his former team-mate as "the most unpretentious 
great cricketer I knew."

Van der Bijl, a former International Cricket Council head of umpires and 
match referees, said Procter was "a warrior on the field".

"He played the game tough and yet amateur in spirit. He used to end every 
pre-game session by saying, 'Let's go and have some fun.' He played the game 
as it should always be played. It was a real privilege to play with and 
against him."

Procter was South Africa's first coach when that period of international 
isolation ended in 1991.

Fast bowler Allan Donald made his international debut under him.

"I learned a lot from him. Just to listen to him was an experience. He made 
me aware of what was needed to have the mentality of a fast bowler," he said.

Ali Bacher, former managing director of South African cricket, captained 
Procter in the series against Australia.

"He was one of the most outstanding cricketers that South Africa has 
produced. He bowled fast, swinging deliveries and as a batsman was good 
enough to have batted at number five for any country in the world," he said.

Cricket South Africa president Rihan Richards described Procter as "not just 
a giant on the field but a beacon of hope and inspiration off it."

Dolphins Cricket, formerly the Natal Cricket Union, said in a statement that 
Procter's "legacy will endure as an inspiration for generations to come."

"His career as a world-class cricketer was outstanding, his leadership 
prowess was noteworthy and his role as a cricket administrator and coach was 
remarkable."

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club announced it would fly its flag at half-
mast until the start of the English county season as a tribute to the man who 
played in 482 matches for the club and was captain from 1977 to 1981.