Former Springbok and Rugby World Cup winner Chester Williams has died at the age of 49.
According to reports, Williams died after suffering a suspected heart attack.
Williams played 27 games for the Springboks and scored 14 tries. He was one of the heroes of the 1995 winning Rugby World Cup team, the first time that the Springboks participated in the tournament.
Williams said his presence in the World Cup-winning side and President Nelson Mandela's visible support for the Springboks had helped bring South Africans together.
“After we won the World Cup, it was amazing to see people after the game crying and hugging each other in disbelief . It was the first time that I saw a united nation in South Africa,” he said.
Tributes have been pouring in on social media for Williams who was a favourite among rugby fans.
I'm reeling. I gave Chester a lift to the UWC Admin block yesterday. We were chatting on whatsapp just morning. The guy was fine. 😭😭😭
— Gasant Abarder (@GasantAbarder) September 6, 2019
This is a developing story.