'Jaco Williams’ story is one for the future'
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It’s not every day that a young man from Somerset East earns the chance to wear the green and gold.
On Saturday, Jaco Williams will realise his childhood dream when he makes his Springbok debut against Wales at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium.
The 20-year-old winger is one of four uncapped players named to make their debuts, alongside Vusi Moyo, Carlu Sadie and Ruben van Heerden.
While Sadie and Van Heerden bring a wealth of senior club experience, Williams and Moyo burst onto the scene with the Junior Boks last year. Neither has extensive United Rugby Championship (URC) experience, with Moyo making his senior debut in the final round of last season, while Williams featured six times for the Sharks after making two appearances the previous campaign.
“Vusi won the World Cup last year with the Junior Boks and was probably supposed to be there this year, but the opportunity came for him to be part of our team,” said Springboks assistant coach Mzwandile Stick.
“Some of these youngsters, the way they are so mature already… I think about myself as a 19-year-old; there’s no way I can compare myself to where Vusi is currently, mindset-wise. He’s just a mature young kid.”
Williams may not fit the mould of a traditional rugby prodigy, but the lean speedster has rapidly established himself as one of South Africa’s brightest young prospects. After matriculating from Glenwood High School in 2023, he has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks.
Stick even compared Williams’ journey to that of two-time Rugby World Cup-winning winger Makazole Mapimpi, whose rise from humble beginnings has become one of South African rugby’s greatest success stories.
“Jaco Williams from Somerset East. I had to Google the last Springbok from that region; I think it was 1955. You look at Makazole Mapimpi’s story, I think Jaco Williams’ storyline and where he comes from, you wouldn’t think that a Springbok comes from that region.
“For him to be where he is now, as a young kid, 21 years old, to get an opportunity to play, it’s a very, very special story. We always talk about the story of Mapimpi; I think Jaco Williams’ story is one for the future – it’s going to be something special to talk about. Good kid, I enjoy working with him.
“I’m excited to see what he is going to do.”
