Grant Williams

Few South African scrum-halves carry the same explosive change of pace as Grant Williams, the Sharks half-back born on 22 July 1996. A quick-thinking number nine with a genuine running threat, Williams is known for his sniping breaks around the fringes, his sharp service and his ability to lift the tempo of a game, qualities that have made him a dangerous attacking weapon for both club and country. He was part of the South Africa squad that won the 2023 Rugby World Cup, a high point in a career built on pace, energy and a willingness to take defences on from close range. Often deployed to inject urgency in the closing stages of matches, he pairs his attacking instincts with diligent defensive work and a feel for when to control and when to accelerate. For the Sharks, Williams remains a key figure whose speed and competitiveness can shift the rhythm of a contest in an instant.