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Cape Town - Deceased former Springbok wing Chester Williams worried about his health for some time, a report has indicated.
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Williams, 49, died suddenly from a heart attack last Friday, but according to the Sunday Times, the 1995 World Cup hero feared he may be predisposed to a heart condition that has affected his family.
The report stated that Williams' sister suffered a heart attack only a week ago and remains in hospital, while his brother Wilmot died of a similar condition when in high school.
Williams' wife Maria told Rapport newspaper that her husband had no signs of previous heart conditions.
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.
Williams is the fourth player of 1995 Springbok Rugby World Cup-winning team to have died.
Loose forward Ruben Kruger (39) died from brain cancer in 2010, scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen (45) from motor neurone disease in 2017 and wing James Small (50) from a heart attack earlier this year.
In addition, coach Kitch Christie (58) died of cancer 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 was active on the coaching circuit including stints with the Springbok Sevens team, Super Rugby's Cats and the Pumas.
Compiled by Herman Mostert
