Earlier in the year, Williams was sidelined after he developed a severe infection from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This aggressive bug targeted his spine, leading to extensive medical intervention. After multiple hospital admissions totaling four months, Williams underwent surgery that involved the fusing of his spine segments with metal hardware.
"It pretty much settled in my disc in my back and ate away my disc, really. Have you ever seen a tree on fire? How the inside of the tree burns first, that’s pretty much what happened to my spine."
The affliction was not only a physical battle but a psychological one, with Williams facing the stark possibility of severe disability. "I got real sick, I almost got sepsis twice. One of the first things they told me was I might be in a wheelchair. We love rugby, right, but I like walking, too." he shared during an interview.
His ordeal began innocuously as a back injury during a Super Rugby match for the Crusaders against the Chiefs. The pain escalated quickly, leading to a dramatic weight loss of 18 kilograms during his treatment, which included potent antibiotics and pain management protocols.
Despite the challenges, the path to recovery is mapped out. Williams is currently on oral antibiotics and engages in walking while collaborating closely with his team's medical staff. "We don’t have a date, but it’s more like do a six-week block of training, get some scans and have another meeting, see how it’s going," he explained about his cautious progression back to full health.
Optimism shines through, as Williams is cleared to start running when the preseason kicks off in November. "It’s going to be a long pre-season. I’m ready, I’m keen to get going. I haven’t done a pre-season since 2021, my first year," he stated, eager to return to the sport he loves.
This resilience in the face of such adversity not only underscores the physical demands placed on professional athletes but also the unforeseen challenges they occasionally must overcome. Williams's journey, marked by pain and perseverance, highlights the brutal impact of superbugs and the indomitable spirit required to tackle them head-on.
