MagRush writer  | September 6, 2019

Chester “The Black Pearl” Williams has died from a heart attack at the age of 49. He leaves behind a wife and three children.

Williams was part of the 1995 historic Rugby World Cup-conquering South African (Springbok) squad. The international rugby legend also played for Western Province in the Currie Cup in his heydays.

SA Rugby Mag writes of the former Springbok: “Williams played 27 Tests for the Springboks in a career that spanned from 1993 to 2000. He scored 14 tries.” 

The winger donned the SA Rugby union shirt from 1993 to 2000 and was the first black rugby player at national level. A prominent figure during the transformative years that helped launch the return of Springbok to global competitive sport.

Chester Williams earned trophies along the way: The Tri-Nations in 1998 and Currie Cup in 1999 with the Golden Lions. After retiring as a player, he continued investing time in rugby. Coaching the SA 7s squad, the Pumas and University of Western Cape (UWC) winning the Varsity Shield tournament in 2017.