WATCH: Local community celebrates Springbok debutant
· The South African
This past weekend, rising star Jaco Williams was one of four players to celebrate earning his first Springbok Test cap, and he marked the occasion by producing a composed performance that included both scoring and assisting a try.
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Williams is one of the most highly-regarded young talents in SA rugby, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise after starring during the Junior Springboks’ triumphant U20 World Championship campaign last year, while he has now seamlessly transitioned into the Sharks’ senior ranks.
Hailing from the small town of Somerset East in the Eastern Cape, Williams’ special achievement this past weekend was celebrated in grand style in his home town.
A video shared by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus shows the local community coming together to passionately celebrate their home town hero. You can click here to see the clip.
“Dis hoe n dorp jou Springbok speler support (that’s how a town supports its Springbok player),” Erasmus shared on Instagram. “You guys can be very proud Somerset East.”
Special moment for Springbok youngster
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Lots more to come
Prior to this past Saturday’s Test against Wales, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick compared Williams’ journey to that of two-time Rugby World Cup-winning wing Makazole Mapimpi.
“Jaco Williams from Somerset East. I had to Google the last Springbok from that region; I think it was 1955. You look at Makazole Mapimpi’s story, I think Jaco Williams’ storyline and where he comes from, you wouldn’t think that a Springbok comes from that region.
“For him to be where he is now, as a young kid, 20 years old, to get an opportunity to play, it’s a very, very special story. We always talk about the story of Mapimpi; I think Jaco Williams’ story is one for the future – it’s going to be something special to talk about. Good kid, I enjoy working with him.”