60 seconds with: Chester Williams, Former Springbok

Chester Williams. Photo / Getty Images

Greetings Chester. With another All Blacks/Springboks test at Ellis Park in the offing, take us back to being in that World Cup final in 1995 and what it means now?

I think our chances of losing were limited by playing at altitude and having thousands in the stands and around the country supporting the cause.

In your biography [Chester, published 2002] you spoke of difficulties with tokenism as the only black player in the team. How did you reconcile that with what you were achieving?

Well, yeah ... but in the bigger picture it was important for South Africa in terms of what it did for the country. It provided inspiration. I can't stress that enough.

Has South African rugby improved its attitude to race?

I think it says something that I was the only black player then but now there are generally five to six in each squad and more in the top 40 players. The selections are becoming more consistent.

Your role as a talisman for breaking down racial barriers in sport led to you carrying the Olympic torch ahead of the Athens Games. What was that like?

It was an amazing honour but hopefully I'll get a chance to participate at an Olympics in a coaching capacity now sevens is part of the programme.

Have you seen the film Invictus? If so, what did you make of it?

It was a great experience to be [consulted as] part of the movie ... I love the fact our efforts at the 1995 World Cup have created a story people worldwide can experience and understand through the film.

You've had a close relationship with Nelson Mandela over the years [Mandela was a guest at Williams' first wedding]. Tell us about that.

There was special motivation wearing the Springbok jersey when I was the only black in the starting XV. I used him as inspiration, knowing what he'd achieved in his political struggle.

What did he say in your ear during the World Cup presentation ceremony?

He just said he was really proud of me and that I'd helped make the whole country proud.

Describe the scenes when he was released from prison in 1990? Was it a "remember where you were" moment?

I was in my hometown of Paarl [in the Western Cape]. I was at home [aged 19] and everybody was in the living room watching the telly as he was freed. Those were amazing times.

You're speaking to us from Romania, where you are coaching RC Timisoara. How's that going?

We won the final for the first time in 40 years in my first year [last year]. We're in the final again this Saturday.Before you go - your prediction for this weekend at Ellis Park. It'll be a close contest but I'll take South Africa by three points, just like '95.