CAPE TOWN – He is always a crowd favourite in the Mother City, but there won’t be any ‘homecoming’ for Sonny Bill Williams this week.
The All Black centre landed in South Africa on Monday, after a long trek from Buenos Aires, where they knocked over Argentina 35-17 to clinch their third consecutive Rugby Championship title.
But that certainly doesn’t mean that Saturday’s showdown against the Springboks will be a dead rubber for the world champions, who will want to get revenge for the 36-34 loss to Siya Kolisi’s team in Wellington.
Upon arrival in Mzansi, Williams tweeted: “Alhumdulliah it’s good to be back in South Africa”, and a number of locals welcomed him and wished him well.
His former rival on the field, Juan de Jongh – who is playing for English club Wasps – also got in a witty comment: “If only it was in your hometown #Hehe #CapeTownLove”
If only it was in your hometown #Hehe #CapeTownLove😉🙌🏼 https://t.co/nTqfX3Vo0f
— Juan_De_Jongh (@JuanDeJongh) October 1, 2018
De Jongh was again in fine form for Wasps last weekend, scoring a try in their 23-22 win away to Newcastle Falcons. The ex-Stormers midfielder’s fellow Springbok Nizaam Carr also dotted down for Wasps.
Go Go Power Rangers !! 😁👳🏽♂️💂🏽♀️ 🐝 @NizaamCarr8 pic.twitter.com/YOg9d6bHvs
— Juan_De_Jongh (@JuanDeJongh) October 1, 2018
The 30-year-old De Jongh is unlucky not to be facing Williams at Loftus Versfeld this weekend, especially considering
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus has endured at centre this year.
@ashfakmohamed