“In the early evening of Wednesday 13 November 2024 College lost one its greatest icons when Hilton Barry “ Bash ‘ Kyle passed away after a 5-year battle with motor neuron disease.
The word legend has become a cliché and is used far too liberally to describe people these days, but Bash was a legend in the true sense of the word, especially on the rugby field, where the mere mention of his name was enough to strike fear into the hearts of any opposing team.
A member of the prodigious Kyle family who have served Maritzburg College so well over countless decades, Bash arrived at College in the January of 1971, and soon established a reputation as a rugby player of extraordinary talent and ferocity, an outstanding athlete, and one of the most popular boys in the school. He began his rugby career on the wing, but there was not enough action for him there, and so by his third form year he had moved to flank, and that was where he spent the remainder of his career. He played for the 1st XV for two seasons, 1975 and 1976, the second as captain, and in that year he also captained Natal Schools. Skonk termed him “ a non-stop, all action flanker who was always involved during a game” and described him as an excellent tackler and lineout forward. He was more than an excellent tackler, he was a ferocious tackler who won many a game through sheer intimidation. It was a fearsome sight to see Bash tearing out onto Goldstone’s like a warrior of old, eyes glazed in determination, ready to lay waste the opposition. Woe betide any opposition player who got the ball anywhere in his vicinity- they were soon left in a crumpled heap on the ground. He bestrode the rugby field like the proverbial colossus and all who watched him play were in awe of his ability. One of Skonk’s familiar rallying calls was “ Faka Nduku”, and this was the call adopted by the 1976 side, and none did so more than Bash!
He was destined for a career in rugby that would very likely have taken him to the very top in rugby in South Africa, but for a very unfortunate injury early on in his post-school career when just breaking into the provincial scene, and that put a very premature end to his career. Many consider him extremely unfortunate not to have been selected for Skonk’s dream team, although he was amongst the reserves. One of his contemporaries who played for South African Schools and who was selected by Skonk in his dream team, said this of Bash “ he was the best player I ever played with”. Another equally illustrious former South African Schools player said “ I am glad I did not play in the same year as Bash or I would not have played in the 1st XV” . Such was the respect for him as a rugby player.
Bash also represented the Natal Schools athletics team, excelling in the sprints, high jump and shot putt, a rare combination of talents in an athlete, but these explain his strengths on the rugby field. Legend has it that then athletics master Ding Dell, when measuring Bash’s putts was spotted trying to gyppo the tape measure, as Ding had previously held the shot putt record going back in the late 1950’s and Bash was in danger of breaking it, but that may just be urban legend!
After injury put paid to his rugby career, Bash took up a new sport of Surf Angling, where he also excelled, representing the Natal Angling Team for a number of years. This passion afforded him the opportunity of spending many hours fishing alongside his sons, who have themselves become avid anglers.
But there was far more to Bash than just sport. He was a fun loving, immensely popular, and gregarious. One never heard a bad word said about him. He was just the nicest man imaginable. Bash was an outstanding farmer, the ultimate man’s man, a man whose word was his bond, and who epitomized the words integrity and courage. He faced more than his fair share of adversity in life in many shapes and forms, and he did so with incredible fortitude, and without ever being heard to complain. He just got on with it without ever taking a backward step. His battle with the dreadful motor neuron disease and the way he approached it was typical of him. Refusing to allow it to prevent him from carrying on with his life, and right to the end he was fighting to get out of hospital and home to his beloved Burnside.
Bash had an engaging and mischievous smile, which was a window into his soul – he was at heart mischievous man in the nicest possible way. He never exhibited any malice, it was
simply not in his make up. He was always good natured and good company, and his handsome and regal bearing gave him a presence that along with his personality, immediately endeared him to people and earned their respect. He was a natural leader, and one whom anyone would be privileged to have been lead into battle by. Despite his many achievements, he was humility personified.
But above all, Bash was a family man, and family was closest to his heart. His children and grandchildren bear testimony to the wonderful, loving and caring father and grandfather he was. Our hearts go out to Tombie his childhood sweetheart and wife of 43 years, with whom he shared an incredibly close bond. Their sons, Old Collegians, Justin and Shawn, together with their sister Bronwyn, their respective spouses and Bash’s 10 grandchildren, have suffered an immeasurable loss.
Rest in peace Bash. You leave a legacy that will not be forgotten.You were a mighty man whose passing has saddened the hearts of thousands of people.
The family has lost a much loved patriarch, and the world a very good man, but we take comfort in knowing that he has gone to his eternal home.”
Peter Rodseth
Class of 1975
Past President and Honorary Life Member,
Maritzburg College Old Boys Association.