Japanese Head Coach Backs Springboks’ Grant Williams as World’s Fastest Player
- Japanese head coach Eddie Jones has tipped Springboks scrum-half Grant Williams as the fastest rugby player in the world
- Grant Williams responded modestly to the bold claim, insisting the Springboks have several players who could match his pace
- Rassie Erasmus has unveiled a powerful Bok squad for the Wallabies clash at Ellis Park, which includes Williams
Japanese rugby head coach Eddie Jones has thrown his weight behind Springboks scrum-half Grant Williams, boldly claiming the 29-year-old is the fastest player in world rugby.
Source: Getty Images
Writing in his latest Planet Rugby column, the former England gaffer said Williams’ speed is unmatched.
“At nine, if all the half-backs in the world had a 100m sprint race, I reckon Grant Williams would win it by five metres,” Jones wrote.
“The guy has electric pace, a real point of difference, one that allows him to challenge a defence that’s retreating and resetting, finding gaps by maintaining pace from the second and third rucks.
PAY ATTENTION: stay informed and follow us on Google News!
Jones believes Ellis Park’s altitude and the fatigue it induces in defences could amplify Williams’ strengths in Saturday’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship opener against Australia.
“That ruck speed and the cracks that open under fatigue in defence at altitude should be a key strategic focus,” Jones added.
“Players burn with those fatigue efforts, and that creates spaces to attack that you don’t quite get at sea level. I think Williams might just thrive this season as he nails down the starting spot.”
Source: Getty Images
Some of Williams’ Springbok teammates echoed similar praise during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, though the man himself was more modest.
“I wouldn’t say I’m the quickest,” Williams told reporters then.
“We have a squad filled with pace – Cheslin [Kolbe], Kurt-Lee [Arendse], Canan [Moodie], Jesse [Kriel], Mapimps [Makazole Mapimpi]… I don’t want to leave anyone out, but I don’t think I’m the quickest. If they say it, I’ll take it.”
While no definitive statistics exist to settle the debate, Planet Rugby has listed other contenders for the title of fastest half-back, including New Zealand’s Cameron Roigard, France’s Antoine Dupont, Australia’s Tate McDermott and England’s Raffi Quirke.
Erasmus names strong squad for Wallabies game
Meanwhile, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has unveiled a powerful match-day squad for the Ellis Park clash, which kicks off at 17:10.
His team features 18 Rugby World Cup winners and just three players with five or fewer Test caps, utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels, wing Edwill van der Merwe, and prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who debuted against Italy in July.
South Africa is chasing a fifth consecutive win over the Wallabies, having beaten them in all four Rugby Championship encounters since 2022. History will also be made on Saturday when veteran lock Eben Etzebeth becomes the most capped Springbok in history with 134 Test appearances, placing him joint 10th on the all-time global list.
The starting backline includes Aphelele Fassi at fullback, with wings Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe. Jesse Kriel and Andre Esterhuizen form the midfield partnership in place of the injured Damian de Allende, while Manie Libbok partners Williams in the half-back roles.
Springboks coach negotiating contract extension
Briefly News previously reported that Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus is reportedly in negotiations with SA Rugby (SARU) over a possible contract extension beyond the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Erasmus’ current deal is set to expire after the global showpiece, but Rapport reports that at least two overseas clubs are closely monitoring the situation and could make a move for the 58-year-old.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
