Springbok legend Chester Williams will be laid to rest at an official state funeral at Newlands Stadium on Saturday.
Minister Patricia de Lille, who is also a close friend of the Williams family, announced the news during her keynote speech at a memorial in Williams’ honour.
De Lille said she is pleased to convey the news of the official funeral on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who granted Williams national hero status and signed off on a state funeral.
Williams, who was part of the 1995 World Cup-winning squad, passed away on Friday after suffering a heart attack.
At Wednesday’s memorial service in Cape Town, De Lille offered an emotional tribute to the man whom she said was ‘like a son’ to her.
‘We were great friends. He used to love to make potjiekos and a braai at the same time. He would sit at the braai and play PJ Powers songs until I asked him to play something else …
‘We’ve lost a legend and an icon, but he has run a good race. He has shown us in the short space of 49 years what he has achieved.’
