Last modified on Fri 6 Sep 2019 19.18 EDT The World Cup-winning South Africa wing Chester Williams has died from a heart attack at the age of 49, South … They united the 'Rainbow Nation' with South Africa's greatest ever sporting achievement. Williams becomes the fifth member of the 1995 squad to pass away, following Small, coach Kitch Christie, flanker Ruben Kruger and legendary scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen. Joost van der Westhuizen, one of South Africa’s greatest rugby players, who is best remembered for his part in a 1995 World Cup victory immortalized in a 2009 movie, died … Williams, the only black player on South Africa’s famed 1995 Rugby World Cup winning team, has died Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, in Cape Town of a heart attack, SA Rugby announced. But now, he becomes the THIRD member of that triumphant group to pass away. ... College and playing for South Africa's under-21 side. Former South African winger James Small, a member of the celebrated 1995 World Cup winning squad, died suddenly on Wednesday of a heart attack at the age of 50. A huge tree in South African Rugby rugby has fallen. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. At the time of his death, Williams was still coaching rugby un the form of the University of the Western Cape in the FNB Varsity Cup, having also been involved with the Blitzboks, Cats, the national teams of Uganda and Tunisia and the Phakisa Pumas. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. SOUTH AFRICA rugby legend James Small has died aged 50 from a suspected heart attack. A father of three, Jacobs was just 38 when he died playing rugby in 2017. For other inquiries, Contact Us. ", James Small played 47 Test matches for South Africa in the mid-1990s, See inside Twickenham's new video game training facility from Excel, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Ruben Kruger lost his battle with brain cancer in 2010 - while Joost van der Westhuizen passed away two years ago after suffering from motor neurone disease. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. “Chester Williams had so much more to give. Wales rugby legend JJ Williams dies at 72. Vrede, Free State, South Africa: Date of death: January 27, 2010 (aged 39) Place of death: Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa: Height: 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Weight: 101 kg (223 lb) School: Grey College, Bloemfontein: Notable relative(s) Henco Venter (nephew) Rugby union career ", One claimed: "RIP James Small. ADVERTISEMENT. Rugby was united in mourning on Monday after Joost van der Westhuizen, an icon of South Africa’s World Cup victory in 1995, finally lost his brave fight against motor neurone disease aged 45. “The news of Chester’s passing is devastating and hard to believe, as he was still young and seemingly in good health,” said SA Rugby president Mark Alexander. South African Rugby World Cup winner Chester Williams has died of a suspected heart attack, aged 49. He was 49. Lategan played club rugby for University of Stellenbosch and provincial rugby for Western Province. He played with courage and was a beacon of light in his community and in the broader South African context. Online Editors. Commenting is currently disabled on this article. Small's mother, Vaughn, confirmed the tragic news of her son's passing this morning. South African rugby is mourning the death of Xhosa commentator Kaunda Ntunja, who has died at the age of 38, reportedly succumbing to COVID-19. ADVERTISEMENT A former South African Schools captain, Ntunja represented the Cheetahs, and was part of their 2005 Currie Cup winning side, before turning his hand to the media, most notably as a Xhosa commentator with SuperSport. AAP July 11, 2019 10:16am He was a hooker who went by he nickname “Stevovo” and played for the amateur team Masiphumelele Rugby Club in South Africa. Despite retiring from rugby 20 years ago, Small continued to work within the sport. Certainly one of my all time favourite South African players. PrintCancel. The Springboks legend - and 1995 World Cup winner - was said to be on his way to Cape Town from Johannesburg at the time. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? The former Springbok winger was taken to hospital on Tuesday after suffering a suspected heart attack. He was 49. Cape Town. James Small will remain in our hearts forever. Speedy winger Small played 47 Tests for South Africa, in a five-year career between 1992 and 1997 - gaining a reputation for being the "bad boy" of the team for his verbal tirades. A rugby player in the Border region died after suffering a serious injury while playing in an illegal tournament at the weekend. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. South African rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen dies, aged 45 RUGBY was robbed yesterday of another of the great figures of the extraordinary 1995 World Cup … Williams won 27 caps for the Springboks during an international career that spanned from 1993 to 2000, in which he scored 14 tries for his country, while he also represented the Western Province and Golden Lions at club level, as well as South African Super Rugby side the Cats. Yesterday his father, Ian, travelled to South Africa to collect John's body after he collapsed playing for Ireland during an Under-19 Rugby World Cup match against New Zealand. He even became the first Springbok to ever be sent off, after he argued with referee Ed Morison. “Chester was a true pioneer in South African rugby and his performances at the World Cup in 1995, as a snapshot of his Springbok career, will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of our rugby public. Chester Williams, the only black player on South Africa's famed 1995 Rugby World Cup-winning team, died on Friday of a heart attack. SA Rugby confirmed that Williams passed away from a heart attack in Cape Town, where he lived and worked as a rugby coach at the University of the Western Cape.. Williams was part of Springbok 1995 Rugby World Cup winning squad. Williams played 27 Tests for the Springboks between 1993 and 2000, scoring 14 tries. The iconic figure played 27 Tests for the Springboks between 1993 to 2000 and scored 14 tries. View our online Press Pack. “As a member of the Springbok class of 1995, Chester was not only well-known in the rugby fraternity, but he was a much-loved South African whose influence stretched wider than just the rugby world. The Australian rugby community has been rocked by news former Wallaby Dan Vickerman has died. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. “He was passionate about rugby and South Africa and as coach, at various levels, selflessly gave back to the game after he hung up his boots. Reports in South Africa have said that Williams died from a heart attack. However, he is most remembered for being the only black player in the South Africa squad that first won the World Cup 24 years ago – a triumph that brought a divided nation together like never before following apartheid. Small died in July following a heart attack. Another fan wrote: "Sad loss of a legend. Marthinus Theunis "Tjol" Lategan (29 September 1925 – 8 March 2015) was a South African rugby union centre. South African Rugby World Cup winner Chester Williams died aged 49 after a suspected heart attack, Williams was the only black player in the 1995 Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks squad, Williams lined up against Jonah Lomu in the Rugby World Cup final, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}, Former South Africa rugby player Williams dies, aged 49, Find Getaway Deals up to 15% off with this Booking.com discount, Debenhams discount code for 15% off selected luxury beauty products, Exclusive Ideal World promo code: 20% saving on fitness, Receive a £2 AliExpress promo code with the official App, Argos promo: 20% off selected LEGO toys this Easter. Former French rugby international Christophe Dominici, whose dazzling runs made him one of the country's best wingers, has died aged 48. Mandela played a large role in uniting the country with his public support of the Springboks, while fans worshipped Williams as he scored four tries in one single match in the quarter-final victory over Samoa on South Africa’s path to victory. Certainly one of my all time favourite South African players.". Former cricketer Herschelle Gibbs wrote: "Just heard the sad news about the ex-Springboks winger James Small who passed away today. The tournament followed the country's return to international competition after decades of sanctions and anti-apartheid boycotts. Tjol Lategan. The deceased player, who has been identified as Vizicelo Sebenza Zondani, lost his life after a tournament at Ngqwele Location near King William’s Town on … Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Ruben Kruger, a member of the 1995 World Cup-winning team, has died after a long battle with brain cancer, South African rugby union officials announced today. Our thoughts and condolences are with his wife, Maria, his children, family and friends during this very sad time.”. There is scarcely an aspect of rugby in South Africa that he did not contribute greatly to. ... A world-class rugby player… The … South Africa have provided three Super Rugby champions since the first Super 12 tournament in 1996 which involved four teams from South Africa. The 31-year-old South African father of two died on Thursday after sustaining a serious head injury in the second-half of a fixture between Goodwood Rugby Club and Strand United. Myeni, 29, a mechanical engineer and former professional rugby player who had a green card interview scheduled for next week, was living on the island … For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, James Small has died aged 50 from a suspected heart attack, Small famously kept Jonah Lomu at bay as South Africa won the 1995 World Cup, . "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services. Small's mother, Vaughn, confirmed the tragic news of her son's passing this morning. Ever since the horrendous news of Small's death broke in South Africa, fans, pundits and fellow sports stars have been paying tribute to the legend. The tributes are flowing in from all corners of the sporting globe for a South African rugby icon who “died too young” on Tuesday. 2004 brought with it South Africa’s second Tri-Nations title in the tightest-fought competition to date as each team won twice at home and lost twice away from home. News of Williams’ death comes just two months after the loss of his fellow wing James Small, who lined up alongside Williams in the 1995 final victory over New Zealand. Williams was part of South Africa’s Rugby World Cup-winning squad in 1995 and played 27 Tests between 1993 and 2000. The 1995 Rugby World Cup, which South Africa hosted after being barred from the two previous tournaments because of its oppressive white ... rugby player, born 8 August 1970, died … ... to South Africa in 1974 and New Zealand in 1977 - playing in seven Tests and touching down five times. Rip big man! SOUTH African rugby union player Joost van der Westhuizen was sporting star who helped his country win the World Cup in 1995. Former Springbok rugby player's daughter killed in horror N2 crash. Former South Africa international and 1995 World Cup winner Chester Williams has died at the age of 49. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. South Africa World Cup winner James Small has died aged 50. SOUTH AFRICA rugby legend James Small has died aged 50 from a suspected heart attack. Williams was one the first black players to represent the national team that was dominated by white players, making him the face of the push for multi-racial reconciliation that followed Nelson Mandela's election in 1994 as the first democratic president. Russian rugby players Victoria Shalabodina and Tatiana Mikhailova meet former Springbok Ockie Oosthuizen on October 17, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. The former Springbok captain died in … The eNCA television news channel in South Africa reported the death of former Springbok Williams, who was a key part in the 1995 World Cup squad that united the nation by winning the tournament on home soil, with confirmation later coming from South Africa Rugby of the tragic news. Johan Claassen died in Pretoria on Sunday morning at the age of 89. Their franchises grew to … The hooker was knocked out cold when he collided with a player on the opposing team. The Springboks, though, came close away from home and, very encouragingly, found an attacking edge that saw them top the try-scoring charts and with that earn enough bonus points to sneak the win ahead of Australia, with … Small scored 20 tries during his impressive career - which included stopping Jonah Lomu and his rampant New Zealand team-mates en route to winning the 1995 World Cup on home soil. Former South Africa World Cup-winning winger James Small has died at the age of 50 after suffering a heart attack. He coached at various clubs in his homeland, including NWU and Leopards more recently. Along with Ryk van Schoor he formed one of the great post-war centre partnerships in rugby. Just heard the sad news about the ex @Springboks winger James Small who passed away today really sad! Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. South African Rugby World Cup winner Chester Williams has died of a suspected heart attack, aged 49. Bomb squad called to M20 after cop chase as 15-mile stretch of motorway closed, Blackpool rollercoaster 'breaks down near top forcing riders to climb down', Ashley Cain's daughter dies aged 8 months old after leukaemia battle, How Ashley Cain and Safiyya bravely showed the world Azaylia's final weeks, ©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Small, who won the World Cup with South Africa in 1995 beating the All Blacks in a gripping final that went to extra time, was 50. Williams was a key part of the 1995 South African side that won the Rugby World Cup on home soil, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Time favourite South African rugby rugby has fallen part of South Africa he! To reproduce material, visit our Syndication site, scoring 14 tries so much to... Followed the country 's return to international competition after decades of sanctions anti-apartheid... Collided with a player on the Sun '', `` Sun '', Sun. 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