Lions hope full-back Williams will be key man as ‘bomb defuser’ in decisive Third Test vs South Africa

LIAM WILLIAMS warned South Africa they are facing the best bomb defuser in world rugby ahead of the deciding Third Test.

The Lions full-back starts tomorrow against the Springboks as Warren Gatland’s tourists look to win the series here for the first time since 1997.

Wales ace Williams is widely regarded as No 1 in the world under the high ball.

When asked to pick the best player in the air, he said: “You’re looking at him. If I don’t believe in myself, nobody else is going to believe in me.

“You know when you play 15, it’s basically your job.

“Your job is to catch balls and to chase kicks. Every little thing else you do, you add to the team.

“I’ve been behind Leigh Halfpenny for years and years and he was one of the best in the air.

“We’ve worked together for years. That’s basically what we do. We’ve been working hard on that aerial contest this week.

“We know it’s going to be a big challenge in the air and it’s one we’re really looking forward to.

“When the ball is in the air, I’m not one to step back. Going for those balls is my way to help out my team.

“Whether I get hurt in the process, that’s just the way it is.

“Of course we’re working on our technique, working on trying to get high and stay square, but you’ve got to have a bit of balls as well.”

Pumped-up Williams, 30, also admitted he felt the pressure that came with dealing with Handre Pollard’s kicking game.

This week he has done extra practice with what the Lions call the ‘Turtle bag’ – a giant pad worn by strength and conditioning coach Huw Bennett on his back to replicate heavy traffic.

Ahead of his fifth Lions Test, Williams said: “I am only human, I do feel a bit of pressure. It has been talked about quite a bit this week.

“They’ve got two really good wingers, too, and a 15 who can go and chase after those balls.

“Those three guys are really good in the air so it’s going to be tough to meet that challenge.”

Williams is not only lethal in the air, though.

He is also a devastating runner and can carve teams apart – just like he did in 2017 against the All Blacks to set up one of the greatest Lions tries ever.

And when asked if he could do it again, he added: “That would be very great.

“It was a great try scored by Sean O’Brien. It was all a bit of a blur and I watch it back and think, ‘What was I thinking?’. But it all worked out in the end.

“Hopefully in the second half it will open up a touch and I’ll be able to spread these legs and get some metres in.”