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During the mid 1990s Chester Williams would have probably commanded a place in any of the world's top test sides and is undoubtedly one of the finest wingers in his country's rugby history. However, Chester's name will always be synonymous with political intrigue, and it is unfortunate that he is often remembered more for the events around him than his ability as a player. At his best, "The Black Pearl" was a wing of searing pace and finishing ability that brought him 13 tries in his first 16 tests, whilst his superb tackling made him a key player for Western Province in the Currie Cup and South Africa's World Cup campaign of 1995. Chester made his debut in 1993 against Argentina, and in doing so became the first non white player to don a Springbok shirt since Errol Tobias in the early 1980s.
A year later he played in the 1-1 draw with England, but injury meant that he was dropped from the 1995 World Cup squad, only to be dramatically recalled at the last minute. This incident fuelled speculation that Chester was merely a token black player in South Africa's effort to present a united front to the world. However, his four tries against the ultra physical Western Samoans in the quarter-finals proved beyond doubt that he was no passenger. He went on to play in the semi-final against France and then the final against New Zealand. In the Ellis Park showpiece, South Africa stifled the All Blacks with their blanket defence and it is rumoured that Springbok players were on a "tackle bonus" every time Jonah Lomu was brought down. A tight game went into extra time where Joel Stransky's drop goal decided the trophy. Victory ensured that Chester was now a household name and he was the third most recognisable South African after President Nelson Mandela and Springbok skipper Francois Pienaar.
His participation not only meant everything to South Africa on the field, but he also gave the sport of rugby credibility to millions of people who previously regarded it as the white man's game. When Chester signed off that glorious year with a try in a 24-14 win at Twickenham, he seemed destined for even greater things, but circumstances would turn cruelly against him. Indeed, a serious injury sustained the following season while playing for Western Province against Canterbury in the Super 12 meant that he missed the entire international season, including the inaugural Tri Nations series. Another injury in 1997 further pegged him back and it is to Chester's immense credit that he managed to break back into Nick Mallett's squad in 1998, coming on as a replacement against Australia and New Zealand during South Africa's seventeen game winning streak. However, the injuries had robbed him of his pace and it was evident that he was not the same player.
He missed the 1999 World Cup before making nine appearances in the 2000 season, five of them from the bench. His last game for the Springboks came in a 23-13 win over Wales in 2000, and he retired from all forms of rugby a year later. He went to become a coach and led the South African Sevens Squad to bronze at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and runners up place in the World Sevens Championship. Then, prior to the Springboks tour of the UK and Europe in Autumn 2002, Chester released a controversial autobiography which provided his own perspective on his status within South African rugby, particularly at the time of the 1995 World Cup. (Jon Collins)
Chester Williams died 6th. September 2019 aged 49 of a heart attack.
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