RIP: Former Springbok coach dies
12/05/2024 03:45 AM
The South African rugby community has been rocked by the passing of John Williams, who served as the first Springbok head coach post-isolation in 1992.
Williams had been in a coma for the last 10 days, but he never regained consciousness and passed peacefully in hospital on Thursday morning.
The tragic news of his death was confirmed by Bulls president Willem Strauss to News24.
JOHN WILLIAMS’ SPRINGBOK COACHING CAREER
Williams took charge of the Springbok squad in 1992, the first year South Africa was welcomed back into international sport after its isolation and subsequently expulsion from the global stage because of apartheid.
The Springboks played five Tests under Williams’ tutelage that year, but tasted victory in only one of those games.
And as a result, Williams was relieved of his duties, with Ian McIntosh coming in as his replacement.
That prompted Williams to return for a second spell as Bulls coach in the mid-1990s.
His achievements with the Northern Transvaal and the Bulls include four Currie Cup titles in 1987, 1988 and 1991 and 1989 (the last of which was shared with Western Province).
| Date | Opponent | Result | Venue |
| 15 August 1992 | New Zealand | Lost 27-24 | Ellis Park, Johannesburg |
| 22 August 1992 | Australia | Lost 26-3 | Newlands, Cape Town |
| 17 October 1992 | France | Won 20-15 | Stade de Gerland, Lyon |
| 24 October 1992 | France | Lost 29-16 | Parc des Princes, Paris |
| 14 November 1992 | England | Lost 33-16 | Twickenham, London |
SA RUGBY BOSS MARK ALEXANDER
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