John Williams (rugby union, born 1946)

Johannes Gerhardus "John" Williams (born 29 October 1946) is a former South African rugby union player and coach.[1]

John Williams
Birth nameJohannes Gerhardus Williams
Date of birth (1946-10-29) 29 October 1946 (age 77)
Place of birthJohannesburg, Gauteng
Height2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
Weight108 kg (238 lb)
SchoolHoërskool Piet Potgieter, Potgietersrus
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
Northern Transvaal ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1971–1976 South Africa South Africa 13
Coaching career
Years Team
1992 Springboks

Playing career edit

Williams played his senior provincial rugby in South Africa for Northern Transvaal. He made his test debut for the Springboks in 1971 against the touring French team on 12 June 1971 at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. He also played test matches against Australia in 1971, England in 1972, the British Lions in 1974 and the 1976 All Blacks.[2] He played in a further eleven tour matches, scoring one try for the Springboks.[3]

Test history edit

No. Opponents Results
(RSA 1st)
Position Tries Dates Venue
1.   France 22–9 Lock 12 June 1971 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
2.   France 8–8 Lock 19 June 1971 Kings Park, Durban
3.   Australia 19–11 Lock 17 July 1971 Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
4.   Australia 14–6 Lock 31 July 1971 Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane
5.   Australia 18–6 Lock 7 August 1971 Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
6.   England 9–18 Lock 3 June 1972 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
7.   British Lions 3–12 Lock 8 June 1974 Newlands, Cape Town
8.   British Lions 9–28 Lock 22 June 1974 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
9.   British Lions 13–13 Lock 27 July 1974 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
10.   France 13–4 Lock 23 November 1974 Le stade de Toulouse, Toulouse
11.   France 10–8 Lock 30 November 1974 Parc des Princes, Paris
12.   New Zealand 16–7 Lock 24 July 1976 Kings Park, Durban
13.   New Zealand 9–15 Lock 14 August 1976 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Coaching career edit

Williams was the Northern Transvaal coach from 1987 to 1991 and coached his team to the Currie Cup final in each year. Northern Transvaal won three of the finals, in 1987, 1988 and 1991 and in 1989 they shared the title with Western Province. In 1992 Williams was appointed as Springbok coach.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "John Williams". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  2. ^ Jooste, Graham K. (1995). South African rugby test players 1949-1995. Johannesburg: Penguin. pp. 79–94. ISBN 0140250174. OCLC 36916860.
  3. ^ Colquhoun, Andy (1999). The South African Rugby Annual 1999. Cape Town: MWP Media Sport. p. 166. ISBN 0958423148.
Sporting positions
Preceded by South Africa National Rugby Union Coach
1992
Succeeded by