The Zimbabwe Rugby Union mourns the passing away of Rugby legend, Iain ‘Bucky’ Buchanan. The former and record holding Zimbabwe Sables Captain who appeared in at least 53 matches as the captain of the Sables, Old Miltonians and Matabeleland Rugby legend.

He passed away on Monday the 17th of April at the age of 74.

Ian Buchanan was born in Bulawayo on the 15th of July 1949.
He obtained his education at Northlea School, playing 1st XV rugby for a remarkable four years. He was selected for the Craven Week national school team in 1966-1968 and for Rhodesia under 20 in 1969.

He made his Sables debut at the age of 21 in 1971 against Grigualand at the Morris Police grounds then Salisbury Police Grounds in a Currie Cup game that saw Rhodesia lossing 14-16.

By the year 1980 he had a total of 85 caps for the National Team (Sables) and had played at least 57 games and 50 of those games as the captain.

He will remember for his words that he expressed during a press interview after independence of Zimbabwe.

“I am as proud to be playing for my country (Zimbabwe) as I was in my first session, I will continue to give everything I’ve got “

Zimbabwe Rugby Union President, Aaron Jani described the late legend as a ‘epitome of a team man’.

One of the memorable memories of his career was in 1979 when he wss selected into the World XV and as part of the South African Barbarians to face the British Lions in Durban South Africa.

At the time of his retirement, he was part of the Matabeleland Rugby Football Board life Member.