Chester Williams back in SA rugby fold
16 May 2008
Chester Williams, a Rugby World Cup winner in 1995, has been named as the new coach of the Emerging SA team to defend their IRB Nations Cup title in Romania next month. He succeeds new Springbok coach Peter de Villiers who led the team to the title in 2007.
Williams has had an up-and-down coaching career in South African rugby. Previously he enjoyed success with the national Sevens team from 2001 to 2003, but matters went south when he was in charge of the Cats' Super 12 team in 2004 and 2005.
In 2006, he was appointed head coach of the national "A" side. Later in the year, he was named coach of the Pumas' Currie Cup side on a two-year deal, but he resigned midway through 2007.
Springbok coach
He was one of four men in the running to coach the Springboks after Jake White's contract was not renewed, but Peter de Villiers was handed the post.
Most recently, Williams has been serving as technical director of Dinamo Bucuresti, helping lead them to the club league title in Romania, and into the national cup final, which takes place on Sunday. So, he will be returning to familiar territory, which means he will have a sound understanding of what is required to win in Romania.
"The national team (Romania) has been together here for two years and they always qualify for the World Cup," said Williams. "It will be quite tough to come here and expect to beat them; we will have to work hard to achieve a result."
Opponents
The Emerging SA team will also take on Georgia and Italy A. Their challenge begins against the Georgians on 11 June, followed by Italy A on 15 June and Romania on 20 June. Both Georgia and Romania played in the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.
Argentina A won the first edition of the IRB Nations Cup. Last year, the Emerging South Africa team won the event in their first tilt at it by beating the Argentinians 24-10 in the final.
Williams said: "It's great to know that I can get back into the system with SA Rugby. I have been following the Vodacom Super 14 very closely through television and I'm sure we can put out a very strong team.”
Boland coach Deon Davids will act as assistant coach to Williams in a seven-man management team.
Playing career
Williams played 27 tests for South Africa between 1993 and 2000, scoring 14 tries, including four tries in the 1995 World Cup quarterfinal win over Samoa. He played provincial rugby for Western Province and the Golden Lions.
A small man for a top rugby player, he was known for his plucky attitude and his excellent finishing. He was forced into retirement in June 2001 after severely damaging the cartilage in his left knee. The end of his playing career marked the beginning of his coaching career.
SAinfo reporter
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