Springboks Fassi, Ox Nche pay tribute to 'remarkable' Grant Williams

On Saturday, Grant Williams starts at Ellis Park two years after suffering a horrible concussion in the first minute of a Rugby Championship match against Argentina.

Williams’ Sharks teammates, Ox Nche and Aphelele Fassi, are not surprised that the scrumhalf is returning to the scene of the crime — for a Championship match against Australia —a stronger, better player.

“Grant has had a challenging time with injuries — this season he has battled with a neck problem, but I have seen how much he has grown as a person,” Nche said. “He strives to be better, he focuses on small things, and continually tries to improve.

“Grant is very important to the team,” Nche added. “He is probably one of the hardest workers in the squad. He is becoming a good leader, especially for his position, where the scrumhalf is an important leader.

“I think he has grown into the position. He has suffered a lot of injuries, and it is so cool to see him healthy and playing this Test match against the Wallabies.

Fassi added, “Grant has had an up-and-down season caused by injury. His mental strength is one of his biggest weapons.

“To be able to recover from injury and get into the Springbok camp, work on his neck and be able to be playing again for the Springboks is remarkable.

“His first Test this year was against Georgia to mark an excellent comeback (from injury in the United Rugby Championship),” Fassi said. “Grant is a strong weapon for the Springboks. Being strong is what he does week in, week out. I’m thrilled for him that he has overcome adversity and is playing this big Test against the Wallabies.”