2025’s Unsung Boks #3: Grant Williams
by KickOff Rugby · KickOffIn this series of articles, KickOff reviews the rugby year that was, this time identifying the Springboks who made significant contributions to the season while still flying somewhat under the radar.
Grant Williams
Test Caps: 11 (5 starts, 6 as replacement)
The Paarl Gym flyer moved his career stats to 28 Test caps and seven tries in a year where he made the strongest moves for the Springbok scrumhalf starting spot, along with Cobus Reinach.
The two pace-merchants split most of the available Test starts at scrumhalf, and while Reinach was starting more often than Williams during the second half of the season, it was the Sharks man who provided the attacking threat from the bench, where his sniping pace and ability to play both scrumhalf and wing were vital for the Boks in 2025.
A "Very Special Player" Earning High Praise
Legendary former Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez rates Williams as the country's best scrumhalf right now, praising his "speed and vision to really take opposition teams apart."
Fellow ex-Bok Garth Wright agrees, calling Williams a "very special player" whose impact could match Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's influence in the flyhalf role—his "explosiveness around the fringes" making him a global commodity who'd walk into any tier-one squad.
Former Sharks assistant Grant Bashford concedes Williams' kicking still needs work but argues his devastating attack is precisely why the Boks favour him over more orthodox scrumhalves.
Read More | 2025’s Unsung Boks #4: Andre Esterhuizen
The Tactical Masterstroke: Starter or Finisher?
While his talent is undeniable, the discussion among pundits often turns to how best to weaponise his speed. Fourie du Preez tells KickOff that he prefers Williams in the final 30 minutes when the game opens up and becomes looser, allowing him to exploit tired defenders. Grant Bashford agreed, adding that while Williams is exceptionally quick, his most effective role remains coming on to change the pace of the game.
For Williams to truly own the starting jersey for a full 80 minutes, the consensus suggests a focus on technical consistency. Garth Wright told KickOff that the scrumhalf still needs to work on a "wonky" kicking game, noting that modern Test rugby demands near-perfect execution from the boot. Despite these areas for growth, the consensus remains: Williams is a rare attacking gem whose presence alone changes how opposition defenses must align.
His battle with Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Bergh, the up-and-coming Haashim Pead as well as Jaden Hendrickse and Faf de Klerk will be a fascinating one with the players jockeying for a spot in the matchday 23 and longer term fighting for a spot in the World Cup squad for 2027.
Read more | 2025’s Best Springbok Tests
Read More | KickOff’s Best Boks of 2025
Read More | KickOff’s Breakthrough Boks of 2025
Come back tomorrow when we’ll be counting down to number one on our list with the next selection.