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'A true legend on and off the pitch': World Rugby mourns Chester Williams

Cape Town - World Rugby has called former Springbok wing, Chester Williams a "true legend on and off the pitch".

Williams passed away on Friday as a result of a suspected heart attack.

He was 49.

The organisation tweeted on Friday following news of Williams' passing saying, "the world of rugby mourns the passing of @Springboksgreat Chester Williams. A true legend on and off the pitch!" 

The tweet was accompanied by a video of three of the four tries Williams scored against Samoa at the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. 

Brett Gosper, CEO of World Rugby reacted to Williams' untimely death, calling him "a poignant symbol of the iconic RWC1995 and a lovely man."

Williams is the fourth member of 1995 Springbok World Cup winning team to have died - loose forward Ruben Kruger died from brain cancer in 2010, scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen from motor neurone disease in 2017 and fellow winger, James Small from a heart attack, also this year.

In addition, coach Kitch Christie also passed away in 1998.

Williams represented both Western Province and the Golden Lions provincially and played for the Cats in the Super Rugby competition.

He played 27 Tests for the Boks between 1993 and 2000, scoring 14 tries in that time and was named the SA Rugby Player of the Year in 1994.

Since retiring he has been active on the coaching circuit including stints with the Springbok Sevens team, Super Rugby's Cats and the Pumas.

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