Brumbies coach Andy Friend says the Super 14 franchise feels a "sense of responsibility" over the death of forward Shawn Mackay on their South African tour.

The 26-year-old died in a Durban hospital on Monday, suffering a cardiac arrest after being weakened by a blood infection.

He'd been critically ill after sustaining multiple injuries when hit by an armed response car in the early hours of March 29 outside a Durban nightclub where he'd been with teammates.

After receiving the shattering news as he flew home to Canberra with his squad on Monday, Friend said he had a difficult phone conversation with the young lock's devastated father John Mackay.

"His boy's come away with us on a tour and he hasn't come home, so there's a sense of responsibility from us," Friend told reporters on Tuesday.

"John was obviously distraught but also at the same time appreciative of the fact that he's got a lot of love and support from all of us here and we're all caring for him."

Mackay's parents and partner Trish remain in South Africa with Brumbies officials and are preparing to bring his body home.

Friend said Mackay and his father would both want the Brumbies to win their next Super 14 match against the Stormers at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.

But he said there would be no pressure on grieving players who didn't feel ready to take to the field this weekend.

"We'll certainly respect every player's view on that. For all of us this is an absolute tragedy," Friend said.

"We've got a lot of young players who've never dealt with anything like this in the past.

"So if players aren't up for playing we're certainly not going to make them play."

Friend said support pouring in from the international rugby union community was much appreciated at such a difficult time.

That support included NSW Waratahs coach Chris Hickey and captain Phil Waugh on Tuesday.

Waugh said the loss would affect every Australian rugby team this weekend, while Hickey, who has worked with Friend previously, phoned his counterpart to offer the support of Mackay's home rugby state.

"While there's a lot of rivalry between the four Australian provinces, when something like this happens, I think everyone comes together and there's just that feeling that we really need to support the people down there as much as we can in any way that we can," Hickey said.

South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins added his thoughts and announced that a minute's silence would be observed before rugby matches in the country this weekend.

"To lose a son in such a random way while he was in the prime of his life and pursuing his dream makes it even more cruel," Hoskins told South African media.

Friend praised the doctors who worked tirelessly to save Mackay's life.

"His care has been tremendous. You couldn't have asked for more there," he said.

"Our (team) doctor Warren McDonald's been there the whole time with him.

"Nothing more could have been done for him."

The Brumbies squad met on Tuesday for a voluntary prayer session and will recommence training on Wednesday.

"They're a strong group. We are all going to deal with it our own way but we all know we are there together for each other," Friend said.

The Brumbies will wear black armbands on Saturday in honour of Mackay.

"We'll pay our due respects. There will be tributes," Friend said.

"It won't just stop on Saturday. It will continue for some time."

Meanwhile, Durban newspaper The Mercury reported that South African police say their investigation into the accident involving Mackay will now be treated as culpable homicide.

Police, who have not made an arrest, had been treating the matter as negligent driving before news of the Mackay's death on Monday.

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