Chester Williams, who would have turned 55 today, overcame prejudice, serious knee injuries and formidable opponents to become one of the game’s great wings.
After making his Test debut in 1993, Williams was paraded as the face of the 1995 World Cup in South Africa.
Injury delayed his start to the tournament, but he announced his arrival in style with four tries against Samoa in the quarter-final at Ellis Park, playing a key role in the Springboks’ fairy-tale triumph.
Though not an out-and-out speedster, Williams was a master opportunist with superb finishing instincts. He was named SA Rugby Player of the Year in 1994 and helped the Boks claim the Tri-Nations title in 1998.
At provincial level, Williams earned 63 caps for Western Province between 1991 and 1998, before winning the Currie Cup with the Golden Lions in 1999.
Williams died in 2019, aged 49, after suffering a heart attack.
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