SA Rugby have paid tribute to former Springboks coach Dr Johannes Gerhardus “John” Williams, who sadly died on Thursday morning at the age of 78.

Williams was the first post-isolation Springboks coach and played 13 Tests for South Africa between 1971 and 1976.

SA Rugby pay tribute to John Williams

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has paid tribute to the former forward who passed away following his battle with leukaemia.

“John Williams was one of only six people who played for South Africa and then also coached the Boks after unity in 1992, along with Carel du Plessis, Nick Mallett, Rudolf Straeuli, Allister Coetzee and Rassie Erasmus,” said Alexander.

“He was a tough-as-nails lock and a great lineout jumper, and because of his knowledge of the game, he had a successful career in coaching, although the return to the Test arena in 1992 was a difficult time for the Boks.

“The Bulls teams from the late 1980s carried the hallmark of his coaching and were almost unstoppable as they dominated the local rugby scene for a number of years.

“As a true rugby man who was more of a gentle giant in essence, John ploughed back into the game after he had hung up his boots and he remained a loyal supporter of both the Bulls and the Springboks.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Mariana, his children Elmien, Lianie and Boeta from his marriage with Martie, who had also passed away, as well as other family members, friends and loved ones in this very sad time of bereavement.”

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Williams’ coaching and playing career

The Johannesburg-born lock made his Bok debut against France in Bloemfontein in 1971 and played his last Test at the same venue against the All Blacks six years later.

During his playing career, he also won the Currie Cup three times as a player with Northern Transvaal (now the Bulls), in 1973, 1974 and 1975.

Following his playing career, he moved into the coaches’ box and led the Bulls to Currie Cup titles in 1987 and 1988, sharing the trophy with Western Province in 1989 as well.

He was appointed as the Springboks coach in 1992 and held the position for five Tests as South Africa made its way back from sporting isolation. He was replaced by the late Ian McIntosh in 1993 as Springboks head coach with Williams continuing to coach provincial rugby and his career at the Northwest University, where he was dean of students.

He moved to Limpopo in 1999 where he farmed livestock and game and was also a former chairman of Agri Limpopo and won the province’s Farmer of the Year award.

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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/sa-rugby-pay-tribute-to-ex-springboks-head-coach-dr-johannes-gerhardus-john-williams-and-tough-as-nails-lock-following-his-passing