Cape Town, July 28 (IANS): Clive Rice, South Africa's first cricket captain in the post-apartheid era, passed away on Tuesday after losing his battle with septicaemia -- a potentially life threatening infection in which large amounts of bacteria are present in the blood.

Rice's family confirmed the news stating that he was admitted to a hospital on Sunday night after suffering from severe stomach ache. The 66-year-old had also been suffering from brain cancer and had to undergo a surgery in India in March to get rid of a tumour.

Condoling Rice's death, International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive and former South Africa international David Richardson described the deceased as a "giant of the game, not just in South Africa, but across the cricketing world".

"Though his international appearances for the Proteas were limited to just three ODIs, Clive was a hugely inspirational figure for those of us who had the privilege to represent our country since readmission to international cricket in 1991 and it was fitting that Clive was named captain of the national team on that historic first tour to India," he said.

Over a first class career spanning 25 years, Rice scored 26,331 runs in 482 matches, including a highest score of 246. A hugely respected fast bowler, he claimed 930 wickets at an average of 22.49 in a career where he also represented Nottinghamshire, Transvaal, Natal and Scotland with distinction.

In 1981 he was named the Wisden Cricketer of the Year.