Grant Williams: 'I don’t have a point to prove'
SPOTLIGHT: Sharks scrumhalf Grant Williams says “patience” has played a big part in his playing career so far.
The 26-year-old, who made his Bok debut against Wales in July last year, believes his journey to professional rugby has been longer than others currently playing the game.
However, that hasn’t been a confidence barrier and he feels he has what it takes to play among the best.
“I had to play club rugby to get to Springbok level, so patience has been with me from the start,” said Williams.
“I didn’t get a contract straight out of school [Paarl Gimnasium], and that’s when a lot of guys give up.
“Developing through the club rugby system is different and it takes more time, so I’ve had to learn patience. But it’s easier now, I know what it takes and sometimes you just have to wait and your time will come.
“But in saying all of that, I don’t believe I have a point to prove.
“At the moment I’m more focused on putting everything into the Sharks right now, on delivering a complete performance for my team. That’s what we need at the moment.”
The story continues below…
#ICYMI: Springbok hooker Joseph Dweba is enjoying his rugby again because the Stormers are allowing him to be himself on the field. 👇#URC #ChampionsCup #Stormers https://t.co/VTiDQ726ol
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) February 28, 2023
Williams is known for his blistering pace around the rucks and out wide and it was there for all to against Ulster over the weekend as his solo effort from 40 metres out opened the scoring.
“I only developed a bit of speed after school and I’ve been working on it ever since,” he explains.
“I’ve never been like a fully professional athlete or anything like that, but I’d spend my holidays in Cape Town doing speed training with a professional coach, including things like hill training.”
As Williams tries to increase his stock at the Sharks, he has some formidable competition in the form of fellow Springbok scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse.
“Jaden’s a very close friend of mine and that rivalry brings out the best in both of us.
“Having to compete every week makes for good, healthy competition and we push each other all the time.”
