James Small of the Springboks during the Rugby World Cup final on 24 June 1995 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa.The 1995 Rugby World Cup winner passed away at the age of 50.Fellow winger Chester Williams has paid tribute to what he described as a very talented player.
“Well, James Small, we all know he was an amazing rugby player. I saw him for the first time in 1989 in Paarl at the Craven Week and he was already matured for his age. And he’s always been a player like that. James is one of those talented players, hardworking and he loves his communication,” says Williams.Small played 47 test matches for South Africa and also played for the old Transvaal, which later became the Lions, the Natal Sharks and Western Province.
“Absolutely excellent. To me, he was a good winger. Him and Chester, they were excellent. It’s someone who contributed so much to rugby. I used to watch him wayback and I feel really bad. I send my condolences to the family. It hurts because he was like a hero in the rugby … very saddened about it,” some fans say.