The Springbok with All Black supporters at home
Imagine being a Springbok and having All Blacks supporters at home.
That is the intriguing dynamic in the Williams family, with Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams having grown up in a community where support for New Zealand runs deep.
When the Springboks face the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday, it could make for an interesting Test day in the Williams household.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Williams admitted he will have extra motivation if selected, with members of his immediate family and wider community backing the All Blacks.
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During apartheid, many disenfranchised South Africans found an unlikely sporting allegiance with the multi-racial All Blacks teams that toured the country.
While some have since shifted their support to the transformed Springboks under Rassie Erasmus, others have remained fiercely loyal to New Zealand.
That allegiance was on full display when the All Blacks faced the Stormers in Cape Town in the opening match of their tour on August 7.
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus said on Monday that he has no problem with the significant number of South Africans who continue to support the All Blacks during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.
For Williams, however, the family rivalry is more fun than awkward.
“If I get selected, it will be an honour to represent my country. It goes deeper than that. You have family members who are All Blacks supporters, close members,” Williams said.
“It will give me bragging rights if we can get one up on the the family.”
Williams admitted it was not a problem to shut out the noise around him during the build-up to the Test.
“I’ll place myself in a bubble, so I won’t get to hear all of the things,” he said.
“My only job – if selected – is to make sure that the team goes forward and that I understand what the team needs. That will be my week, if selected.”
With both teams set to announce their line-ups on Thursday, Williams could have the perfect opportunity to settle the family rivalry and secure bragging rights at Ellis Park.
