Marthinus "Tinus" Linee (23 August 1969 – 3 November 2014) was a South African rugby union player best known for his long service with Western Province and appearances in Super Rugby with the Stormers. Born in Paarl, Western Cape, he spent his entire senior career at provincial level and was a regular figure in South African domestic rugby.
Career overview
Linee played at centre, a position that combines defensive responsibility with ball distribution and line-breaking on attack. He represented South African provincial side Western Province and featured for the Stormers in the southern hemisphere club competition, Super Rugby. At international level he played in tour matches for the national side but did not earn a capped test appearance.
- Provincial team: Western Province
- Super Rugby: Stormers
- Springboks: nine tour matches (1993–1994), no test caps
Role and playing characteristics
The centre position requires a mix of tackling, spatial awareness and competent passing. Linee was valued as a steady provincial centre during an era when South African rugby was highly competitive at both domestic and franchise level. His career demonstrates the important role played by consistent provincial performers in supplying depth to national squads.
Illness and death
After his playing days Linee was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), a progressive neurological condition affecting nerve cells that control voluntary muscle activity. He died in Paarl from complications related to the illness on 3 November 2014 at the age of 45. The circumstances of his illness drew attention to MND within sporting and broader communities, and are often referenced in discussions about athlete health and post-career welfare.
While Linee did not record a test cap, his career is a reminder of the many prominent provincial players whose contributions sustain club competitions and whose presence strengthens national squads in tour and development contexts. For more information on South African rugby history and the nature of international tour matches versus capped tests, see resources on rugby union and general references to the sport. Additional reading on his hometown and personal background can be found via local Western Cape sources at Paarl and medical information on motor neurone disease is available through health resources (MND information).