Further probe into Bosch's death

Tertius Bosch: © The Cricketer Enlarge

Further investigations are planned into the death of Tertius Bosch, the fast bowler who played in South Africa's first Test back after readmission to international cricket in 1991-92.

Bosch died in 2000, aged only 33, of what was initially thought to be Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare viral infection, but 18 months later his body was exhumed after suggestions that he might have been poisoned. No traces of poison were discovered then - but recently a second examination, using modern American technology, suggested that there were poisonous substances in his body. This led to further testing on harder tissue such as his nails, hair and teeth.

Now, according to a report in the South African newspaper Beeld, police are scrutinising Bosch's hospital records for the nine months leading up to his death. Anton Booysen, a superintendent with the Violent Crimes Unit, told the Afrikaans newspaper: "At this stage there can be no talk of a breakthrough, but of more information with the help of new equipment that can lead to new investigations."