In honor of former Springboks head coach and “tough-as-nails lock,” SA Rugby pays tribute in death
SA Rugby has indeed paid tribute to former Springboks coach Dr Johannes Gerhardus “John” Williams, who sadly expired on Thursday morning at the age of 78.
Williams was appointed the first coach for the Springboks after isolation and played 13 Tests for South Africa between 1971 and 1976.
SA Rugby pay tribute to John Williams
The president of SA Rugby, Mark Alexander, has paid tribute to the former forward who passed away after battling with leukaemia.
“John Williams was one of only six who played for South Africa and then also coached the Boks after the unity in 1992,” added Alexander. “These six were Carel du Plessis, Nick Mallett, Rudolf Straeuli, Allister Coetzee and Rassie Erasmus.”
“He was a tough-as-nails lock and a great jumper in the lineout, and because of his coaching knowledge, he made a good career in coaching, although to return to the Test arena in 1992 was really tough for the Springboks.
“The Bulls teams of the late 1980s were definitely stamped by his coaching and, having dominated the local rugby scene for a number of years, they were almost unstoppable.”
“Johannes, the true rugby man, but more of a gentle giant in essence, put back into rugby after he had hung his boots and has remained an ardent supporter of the Bulls and Springboks.”
“We express our second true condolences to: wife Mariana; children Elmien, Lianie and Boeta from his marriage to Martie, who also passed on; other family members; friends; and loved ones during this sad time of bereavement.”
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. He has also won the Currie Cup three times while a player with Northern Transvaal-the name of the team now being the Bulls-in 1973, 1974, and 1975.
After his playing career, he moved into the coaches’ box and led the Bulls to winning the Currie Cup titles of 1987 and 1988 and also shared the trophy with Western Province in 1989.
In 1992, he was appointed the Springboks coach, occupying the position for five Tests, while South Africa was emerging from sporting isolation. However, he was later replaced by the now-deceased Ian McIntosh as Springboks head coach in 1993 with Williams continuing to coach provincial rugby and his career at the Northwest University where he was the dean of students.
He moved to Limpopo, in 1999, where he was farming livestock and game and further was a former chairman of Agri Limpopo and won the province’s Farmer of the Year award.
