The family of Australian rugby player Shawn Mackay expressed their gratitude to the global rugby community for the outpouring of sympathy and support following his death a week ago.

The 26-year old player of the Brumbies team died from blood infection following surgery. On May 29, Mackay was hit by a motor vehicle in Durban, South Africa and needed major emergency surgeries to repair multiple fractures he suffered from the incident. However, a fatal cardiac arrest ensued after he contracted the blood infection.

Mackay’s parents John and Leonie said in their statement that they are flattered with the messages of support and reassurance from the rugby community from different parts of the world. They also credited St. Augustine’s Hospital staff for working hard to save their son’s life.

The parents also mentioned the Brumbies club for giving a second home for their son. They added that rugby has always been their son’s passion and that having lived up the dream of becoming an athlete could only mean that “he died a very happy man.”

The funeral will take place on Wednesday at Mary Immaculate Church in Sydney.