Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams has insisted that any personal milestones will take a back seat this weekend, describing the prospect of facing the All Blacks on Saturday as a “massive privilege” as competition for the number 9 jersey reaches a fever pitch.
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus is set to announce his matchday 23 on Thursday, leaving a handful of world-class scrumhalves waiting in anticipation. Far from letting the individual rivalry distract him, Williams has adopted the squad-first ethos that has become the hallmark of the current world champions.
“We have to wait until Thursday for the team announcement,” Williams said. “It might be Morné [van den Berg], Cobus [Reinach], or Herschel [Jantjies], but if I get the honour to play on Saturday, my job will be to make sure the team goes forward.”
The Boks' scrumhalf factory remains one of the most fiercely contested positions in world rugby, but Williams maintains that internal competition only strengthens the collective output.
“I won't be focused on my position or who's opposite me, but if I get the opportunity, my job will be to put the team first, and it will be the same for the other players.”
The upcoming Test match rekindles memories of South Africa’s emphatic 43-10 demolition of the All Blacks in Wellington last year. While that historic victory handed New Zealand their heaviest-ever Test defeat on home soil, Williams was quick to dismiss any suggestion that the previous scoreline holds weight this week.
“I just remember the win, but it was a whole different week, with a completely different mentality going into the game,” Williams reflected. “That is history, and all our energy is channelled into this week’s game.”
The All Blacks arrive seeking redemption, a reality the Springbok camp is acutely aware of. Williams warned that past results will mean nothing when the first whistle blows, expecting a ferocious response from their traditional rivals.
“The All Blacks will come out on Saturday guns blazing, but whoever is selected for the weekend will try to front up and make sure we represent South Africa really well.”