RUGBY/Obituary: One of New Zealand's All Black greats, Don "the Boot" Clarke, has died in South Africa.

Clarke (69) died from melanoma in a Johannesburg hospital, his brother Doug said.

Clarke, a full back, was an icon for a generation of New Zealanders, debuting with the All Blacks in 1956 in a Test against South Africa in Christchurch. He went on to play 31 Tests and played 89 All Black games.

He was a big man and his fame was built around his ability to slot balls between the goal posts from anywhere inside the opposition's half.

He was a contemporary of another great name in rugby, Colin "Pinetree" Meads.

On hearing of Clarke's death, Meads headed out to his farm to be alone, his wife Verna said.

Lane Penn, a former New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) selector and president, said he was saddened by the news.

"I was at school when he played in that 1956 match against the Springboks - he had a huge match," Penn said. "He was an icon of our time. I met him recently, he was facing up to his illness with great courage and determination."

Former All Blacks kicking ace Grant Fox, who set a number of New Zealand and international scoring records in the early 1990s, said: "He had a phenomenal boot in him. He wasn't only accurate but he kicked a long way.

"He was a big player for a fullback and it would have been interesting to see him play in today's environment because he would have been devastating coming into the backline.

"I met him when he was here (Auckland) and he said it (illness) was the hardest test he was facing.

"He said it was the toughest battle in his life and he was very determined to fight it."

NZRU chairman and former All Blacks captain Jock Hobbs said of Clarke: "He's a true legend of All Black rugby. His contribution to All Black and New Zealand rugby has been very significant."

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Patsy, children Leigh, Glen and Shelley and a six-month-old granddaughter, all living in South Africa.

Clarke scored 207 Test points including a then world record six penalties in an 18-17 victory over the British and Irish Lions in 1959 before landing a match-winning sideline conversion into galeforce winds against France in 1961.

Clarke's funeral is likely to be held in South Africa and his ashes returned to Waikato, New Zealand for a memorial service within two weeks.