Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams ready to make an impact after neck injury

Earlier this year, Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams cracked a vertebra in his neck and played about four or five games with it until he had to stop playing with the injury for his own safety.

Then, a couple of frustrating months followed on the sidelines as the nippy scrumhalf had to bide his time and stay away from rugby for a bit to ensure that he recovered sufficiently. Surgery was not necessary because the injury was not deemed to be serious, his coach at the Sharks, John Plumtree, confirmed a couple of months ago.

Now that Williams has fully recovered, he is ready to spark the attack of the teams he is playing for as he looks to put the injury-plagued start of the year behind him.

Williams, a World Cup winner, paired with flyhalf Manie Libbok on Saturday as the Springboks faced Italy in the second Test in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. It was the first bit of rugby in about two and a half months for the scrumhalf.

“It was very frustrating, sitting with the injury and not being able to play,” Williams said.

“However, to be selected again for the Springboks is a massive honour and things will hopefully go better from here on in. That competition, not just at a national level, but all over South Africa, is what motivates me to work hard and to come back stronger.

“We have so many good nines in the country, at every franchise, whether it’s at the Stormers, Bulls, Sharks or Lions. It’s healthy competition and that brings the best out of every player.”

Williams just wants to get going on the field again. Depending on Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus’ selection for the final mid-year Test against Georgia this coming Saturday, Williams could get some more game time as he gets back on the rugby horse.

The Sharks player will look to grab any opportunity that comes his way to systematically get back to the level he knows he can play at. With so many top scrumhalves at the Boks, the Paarl-born speedster knows that he must put his best foot forward.

On Saturday he got another opportunity to play next to the instinctive Libbok as the duo look to build their connection, having last played together on the Year-end tour against England at Twickenham.

“After a couple of months of not playing, I must give myself the chance to put my best foot forward to ensure I can prove myself.”