Mackay family thanks SA rugby community

The 26-year-old forward died from complications following surgery after he was hit by an armoured response vehicle in Durban on the 29 March 2009.

Mackay twice underwent major emergency surgery to repair a compound fracture to his left leg, multiple facial fractures and to fuse his cervical spine.

He died after contracting a blood infection that caused a fatal cardiac arrest.

But on Tuesday, his parents John and Leonie Mackay thanked the many well-wishers who had offered support following their son's death.

"We have been inundated with countless generous offers and messages of support and it has been reassuring and flattering to know that Shawn has so much support in Australia, South Africa and around the world," the Mackay's said in a statement.

The family was also quick to praise the staff at the St Augustine's Hospital in Durban who they said worked tirelessly to save Mackay's life.

“We cannot express our enormous gratitude to all the staff at the St Augustine's Hospital for their tireless efforts in attending to Shawn. Having seen them at work we can truly appreciate that Shawn was in the best hands possible during his time there.

“Thanks to the management and staff at the Southern Sun Elangeni for attending to our every need and ensuring our stay in Durban was comfortable and trouble-free.

"We were relieved to be able to communicate with Shawn for the last week and able to communicate to him how much we loved him and he to us," they said.

Mackay's funeral will be held on Wednesday at the Mary Immaculate Church in the Sydney suburb of Waverley at 10.30am while a memorial mass will be held in Canberra at St Christopher's Cathedral in Forrest, also at 10.30am.