Former Springbok scrumhalf Paul Bayvel is fighting the toughest battle of his life.

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Bayvel, 71, was earlier this year diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer which has now spread to his spine, his daughter confirmed.

“Our family is apart because of the lockdown, and our dad, our pops, the king of our tribe, is in hospital and we are not able to visit. He was diagnosed earlier this year with stage 4 lung cancer (having spread to his spine). The prognosis is not good But we are standing on the Word and praying for a miracle,” Jo-Jo Bayvel posted on Facebook.

Bayvel played 10 Tests for the Springboks between 1974 and 1976.

The highlight of his career was playing in all four Tests against the touring All Blacks of 1976, a series the Boks won 3-1.

The fleet-footed scrumhalf played his provincial rugby for Transvaal (now called the Lions) and he will go down as one of the finest scrumhalves produced by the province.

Die-hard Lions fans will also fondly recall Bayvel’s halfback partnership with legendary former flyhalf Gerald Bosch.