Brumbies Super 14 rugby player Shawn Mackay has died in a Durban hospital.

Mackay, 26, died at about 11am AEST, having suffered a cardiac arrest, a Brumbies spokesman said.

He had been in hospital, critically ill with multiple injuries, since the early hours of March 29 when he was hit by an armed response car in a Durban street.

He had shown some positive signs after being brought out of a medically induced coma late last week and underwent surgery.

"After his surgery Shawn contracted an infection in his bloodstream," said Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan.

"He deteriorated rapidly and suffered a cardiac arrest from which he didn't recover."

"It's devastating news for his family and for all of the Brumbies community.

"Our thoughts and those of the players are with his family at this most difficult time."

Mackay had been admitted to St Augustine's hospital in Durban with a cervical spinal fracture and dislocation, a fractured skull as well as a broken leg and multiple facial fractures after being struck by the vehicle.

The incident occurred about 4.15am Durban time when Mackay and a number of other Brumbies were leaving a nightclub, having wound down after their Super 14 loss to the Sharks the previous evening.

Mackay's parents, John and Leonie, and girlfriend Trish flew to South Africa on Tuesday to be by his side.

The Brumbies were flying back to Australia on Monday after completing their three-match trip to South Africa with a win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein at the weekend.

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