[imagesource: SASPA/Luigi Bennette]

On Friday, news broke that South Africa had lost another sporting great.

Chester Williams’ on-field exploits are just a tiny fraction of the good he has done for the game in South Africa, and it’s impossible to think of the heroics of the 1995 Springboks without picturing the winger with a broad smile on his face.

Like his fellow World Cup-winning winger, James Small, Williams died from a heart attack, and the news came as a shock to us all.

Williams himself, however, had privately expressed reservations about a heart condition. Reporting below via TimesLIVE:

The smiling Springbok had grown concerned in recent times. Chester Williams’ mortality had started to weigh on the shoulders of a man who had carried the hopes and dreams of his nation.

He was approaching his 50th birthday next year with increasing unease, that he too may be predisposed to a heart condition that has devastated his family.

Wessel Oosthuizen/Gallo Images

His sister suffered a heart attack a week ago. She remains in hospital. His brother Wilmot died of a similar affliction when still in high school.

Chester’s wife, Maria, said that her husband had no signs of previous heart conditions.

This from Sport24:

Williams complained of chest pain after returning home from the gym on Friday afternoon, but when his wife told him they should go to the doctor he swung his arms around his body to show he was fine.

However, five minutes later the pain returned and was worse, before they rushed to the hospital in Panorama where Williams was pronounced dead at 18:00.

“We were just two minutes away from the hospital, but I wasn’t quick enough,” an emotional Maria said.

In the days since his passing, so many who knew Chester have spoken about his warm, open, generous personality, and keenness to help out wherever possible.

Chester’s memorial service will be held at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) this Wednesday (September 11), with proceedings starting from 1PM, and the formal funeral service will take place on Saturday (September 14).

It’s fitting that UWC hosts his memorial, given that he led their team back to the Varsity Cup tournament after winning the Varsity Shield, and gave so much of his time to assisting many talented young players.

Before we go, here’s a touching look back at the 1995 World Cup through Chester’s eyes, which was filmed in 2015:

Rest in peace, Chezzie, and thanks for the incredible memories.

[sources:timeslive&sport24]