Chester Williams understands the call of history. He was integral to an epoch-making moment as a member of the Springboks' 1995 World Cup-winning squad that inspired a nation. Now, as head coach of the University of the Western Cape's (UWC's) rugby side, Williams can hear the call again: history beckons.
Life and circumstance place certain individuals at the forefront during critical moments of an era. After his heroics as a player in 1995, when he was the face of a changing country, the embodiment of the Rainbow Nation, Williams the coach has been thrust into yet another significant moment.
UWC, with a history entwined with the struggle against oppression and discrimination, makes its debut in the top-level Varsity Cup rugby competition this year. It's a momentous occasion for the university and its students, for Williams and his coaching staff and for the storied past so integral to UWC as an institution.
There has always been a strong rugby culture at UWC, despite it frequently trailing behind traditional strongholds such as Stellenbosch University, the University of Cape Town and the University of Pretoria in terms of facilities. It has also had less access to the historical pipeline of top rugby talent.
But now, after dominating the lower-tier Varsity Shield and sealing promotion to the Varsity Cup with consummate ease, UWC has an opportunity for exposure, to reveal its potential as a sought-after academic university and, significantly, to add "rugby destination" to its annual prospectus.
The Springboks' 1995 triumph, in which Williams was so influential, was portrayed on screen in the movie Invictus. The title refers to a poem by William Ernest Henley. It speaks particularly movingly about courage and dignity in the face of adversity, and about the indomitable spirit residing deep within us all.
In the movie, Nelson Mandela (played by Morgan Freeman) recites a few lines from the poem, saying: "I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul."
Williams and his Springbok teammates grabbed their destiny by laying their bodies on the line for an entire country in 1995, knowing that the occasion was far bigger than themselves.
In the same way, Williams and his UWC squad know that the current challenge is the culmination of so much that has gone before. They know this is bigger than just rugby. It is, in essence, UWC's Invictus moment.
Williams, armed with the emotional experience of 1995, certainly understands the parallels.
"In 1995, we were doing it not just for SA but for the entire world," he said. "Everyone wanted change, to see us become integrated as a nation.
"Still now I do guest-speaking about the 1995 World Cup success, and I am still stopped at malls and other public places where people speak to me about it and ask for photos. It was an amazing time for us as a nation.
"This time, with UWC, it's a little different, but also the same, in that we are the only previously disadvantaged university in the Varsity Cup. For UWC, this moment is as big as 1995. It creates an opportunity for this university to get much-needed exposure and, at the same time, to showcase its rugby talent."
But because Williams has played at the highest level of the sport, he is fully aware of the challenges his team will face. He is not naïve - he knows it will be difficult. But he has called on his players to emulate the Invictus spirit and be the masters of their own fate. Their future doesn't have to be determined by others; they are in a position to shape their own destiny.
There's a palpable aura about Williams, which is why his personality and charisma have animated this UWC squad. As preparations continue for the university's big moment this year, he will continue to be a guiding, galvanising and inspirational presence.
"When I took the job [in 2016], I wanted to do something different," said Williams. "I wanted to go back to the culture and tradition of UWC. I wanted to do what was best for the team, return to the history and enhance the culture.
"When I arrived, the first thing was to instil discipline. Players were coming to training when they wanted to and I needed to change that. I had to get the players to trust and respect each other. That was the first task, and then, once the players were used to my way of doing things, when they knew what I expected from them, I was able to be a bit sterner and get us going.
"In the Varsity Shield success, the camaraderie of the UWC squad was evident. We won the competition and promotion to the Varsity Cup. We won every game last season and gave away only about five tries throughout.
"But I know the Varsity Cup will be a different story. There are other principles and aspects I will have to focus on, especially the technical and tactical side of the game. It will be our first year in the competition. For us, it's a case of make or break. We want to show that we rightfully deserve our place in the event.
"Our focus is to make sure we win at least three or four games. After that, we will have something to build on for the following year and we can grow the team in that way.
"It will be new to the players - Monday-night rugby, a full stadium, and it's on television. They are not used to it, which is why we arranged some high-profile friendlies, against WP for example, to expose the players to rugby at a higher level, to put them under pressure and see how they respond."
Every coach, in any sport, has a particular style and a vision of how he wants his team to play. Williams is no different. Asked about his approach for the Varsity Cup, the former Springbok wing revealed just a smidgen of what to expect from UWC in the competition, and simultaneously emphasised his commitment to academic performance.
"Obviously, I love players to have ball in hand, but I also want them to understand that, on the field, there is a time to do things and a time not to," said Williams.
"Looking at the Varsity Cup, we will do our analysis and we will have an approach for each and every opponent. So it's not just a case of playing expansive rugby, rather it's about balance, and allowing the players to do things that come naturally.
"But what is also very important to me as a rugby coach is that players pass their grades. Talent is obviously important, but I'm just as committed that students work hard academically. There has to be a balance between playing rugby and studies to be a player at UWC. It has to be handled properly."
Team sport is never about one individual. Williams, who has trod many miles in rugby, from the early years of frustrated ambition to the heady highs of a World Cup triumph, is acutely aware that he cannot function without a strong support staff. He is lavish in his praise of the advice, assistance and guidance of the coaches with whom he has surrounded himself.
Former Springbok scrumhalf Bolla Conradie, former Western Province loose forward Jerome Paarwater and ex-Kuils River and UWC coach Lionel Langenhoven form the triumvirate on which Williams relies.
"The contribution of my assistant coaches, Langenhoven [forwards coach] and Bolla [backline and kicking coach] have been important to the success of the team," said Williams.
"Bolla got our backline moving, and he has empowered the players in their decisionmaking. I've used Jerome as a consultant, and he has been influential in the improvement of our lineouts and exit strategy. All of them have experience, which is a plus. As a combination, we work very well together."
Fitness is a vital prerequisite to rugby success, and Williams also has a strong team responsible for the players' physical conditioning and strength. When he sends a UWC side onto the field, he knows they are in great shape and have the athleticism, vigour and stamina to deal with any challenges they may confront during the 80-minute battle.
The UWC coach is confident his team will make an impact in the Varsity Cup. Mark the names of these players because you will be hearing more about them: Adrian Paarwater, Clayton Daniels and Lyle Hendricks have already been part of the SA national Under-20 squad; Curtly Thomas is a robust, no-nonsense 2.04m lock forward with menacing presence; the potent back three includes exciting fullback Mzo Buthelezi; and the halfback pairing of Herschel Jantjies and Aidynn Cupido looks to be a really promising combination.
Williams is equally optimistic about the future for SA's national rugby squad.
"Our rugby is looking better," he said. "I think, with Rassie [Erasmus] as coach, the players understand their roles better and there is more consistency in selection. Results-wise, it's about the same as when Alistair [Coetzee] was the coach, but there has been an improvement in the style of play, and Rassie is dealing very well with the players too. I am very confident that the Springboks will be among the contenders for the World Cup this year."
As for his own future, he admits that, sometime or other, he will have to leave UWC behind. It will be sad, but such is the reality of life and sport. Williams is 48 and, like anyone else, he has ambitions.
"I would love to be a professional coach, to be able to coach at a higher level," said Williams. "For me, UWC provides the perfect platform to get to the next level. But let me also say that I am very happy at UWC and I don't want to leave here. I know that the day will come when I will have to but when that does happen, I know that UWC will have been the stepping stone."
So, as the UWC team prepare for their Varsity Cup debut, as the seminal moment draws near, as the call of history grows louder, Williams wants to send a personal word to every UWC student.
"My message to UWC students as we get ready to play in the Varsity Cup is that we need their support. The players have worked very hard, not just with rugby training but in their studies too, and they are now going to put their bodies on the line for this university.
"I want to urge the students to come out and support and encourage - I want them to come to every single home game and show their love and support for the team, and to show UWC's way of playing sport."
• UWC will play UCT in the first round of the FNB Varsity Cup at UCT's Green Mile Stadium at 6.30pm tomorrow night.
MYTH BUSTER AND SCORER OF TRIES
BLACK PEARL Chester Williams will always be inextricably intertwined with the bittersweet taste of SA’s sporting and political history. At a time when black Springboks were considered anathema, the lightning-quick wing, who became known as the ”BlackPearl“, inspired a generation.
As the only black player in SA’s 1995 World Cup-winning squad, Williams broke down barriers, disproving the prevailing myth that rugby was a white man’s game.
There are some iconic images linked to that 1995 success: Nelson Mandela donning a Springbok jersey sporting captain Francois Pienaar’s number 6, and the squad kneeling down to pray after beating the New Zealand All Blacks in the final at Ellis Park.
But just as important and equally memorable was the sight of Williams scoring four tries during his World Cup debut against Samoa in the quarterfinal.
TORCH BEARER
Williams was chosen to carry the Olympic torch through the streets of the Brazilian city of Curitiba in 2016...