Joost van der Westhuizen is regarded as one of the greatest scrumhalves to have ever graced the game. Standing at 1.85 metres tall, Joost is an unorthodox height for a scrumhalf, despite that he was known for finding small gaps in the opposition's defence.
He retired after a 10 year international career, at the time he held records as the all time top scorer in international rugby for a South Africa, the most capped South African international and he was the starting scrumhalf for the victorious Springbok team in the 1995 World Cup in South Africa . He led the Blue Bulls to 2 Currie Cup victories in 1998 and 2002.
Post the 1995 World Cup he would go on to represent the Springboks in 2 more World Cups and captained the Springboks to a third place finish in 1999 World Cup, after being knocked out by eventual champions Australia after extra time.
Post retirement, he was a presenter and broadcaster on South African sports channel, Supersport, before a video scandal led to the two parties going their separate ways. The scandal also led to the eventual divorce to then wife Amor Vittone.
He suffered from a suspected heart attack in 2009 and in 2011. Joost was provisionally diagnosed with motor neuron disease, which was later confirmed. His condition caused him slurred speech and confined him to a wheelchair
Despite all of the struggles and controversies in his personal life, he will go down in Rugby history as one of the greatest scrumhalves and players of all time.
On 6th February 2017, after a long battle with motor neuron disease, Joost van Westhuizen passed away at the age of 45.
(JW 06/02/17)
Career
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South Africa Scrum Half |
1993 - 2003 |
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Blue Bulls Scrum Half |
1996 - 2003 |
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Bulls Scrum Half |
1996 - 2003 |
