With a very proud history, Hillcrest United RFC has many stories of guys and girls who have shaped the current state of the club.
One such person is Mario “Malibeng” Williams, who has a few pillars etched in his story that make him a legend of the club. Pillars include endurance, loyalty, and belief. His nickname, “Malibeng,” traces back to his school days at Weltevrede Secondary, where he made his mark as a middle-distance athlete.
“The name Malibeng came from my school days,” Williams explained. “I was a middle-distance runner, and O’Neal Simpson gave me that name because my running style was exactly like Simon Malibeng’s.”
Williams’ connection with Hillcrest runs deep since he joined the club in its first year of existence, in 2000. He played an incredible 14 seasons until 2014, as a utility player with a strong sense of discipline on the field made him one of the Hillies’ most respected figures.
“I played for Hillies for 14 years, from 2000 until 2014. Those were unforgettable years.”
The bonds formed on the field were as important as the victories. Among his most cherished memories are two seasons that defined his career.
“My best teammate on the field was Adam Arendse. Mario Jones — the best centre I ever played with.
“In 2004, Hillcrest United was last on the log. We had to win our final match away against Langebaan. We only had 17 players that day, but we fought hard and won 41–40 to stay in the competition. And in 2000, we beat Abbotsdale both home and away and won the league final. That year was special.”
Williams’s message to the club today is one of unity and care.
“My wish is to see Hillcrest United crowned Boland champions one day. To the management, the player is the most important person in the club. Let’s look after them, because without them, Hillcrest is nothing. And to the coaches — make our players more focused, trust each other, and always work together.”