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I don't know how many other FMs are familiar with the former South African rugby player Chester Williams, but his sudden death from a heart attack at the tragically young age of 49 came as a nasty shock, and I felt compelled to write something.

Chester Williams: South Africa World Cup winner dies aged 49

 

Chester was a member of South Africa's World Cup winning team of 1995. The only black player in the squad, he originally pulled out  due to injury, but returned after his teammate Pieter Hendricks was suspended, famously going on to score 4 tries against Samoa in the quarter-finals. A totemic figure in the team, he appears to have been considered it's moral centre and was widely respected on and off the pitch.

 

Reports suggest he suffered a heart attack following a gym session. Incredibly, his death comes only 2 months after that of the other winger from the cup-winning squad, James Small - also from a heart attack. He was only 50. 

 

Tags: Rugby World Cup, Springboks, Chester Williams

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