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Joost van der Westhuizen

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Joost van der Westhuizen (20 February 1971 – 6 February 2017) was a South African professional rugby union player who made 89 appearances in test matches for the national team, scoring 38 tries. He mostly played as a scrum-half and participated in three Rugby World Cups, most notably in the 1995 tournament, which was won by South Africa. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest scrumhalves of all time.[1]

Joost van der Westhuizen
van der Westhuizen playing for South Africa in 1995
Birth nameJoost van der Westhuizen
Date of birth(1971-02-20)20 February 1971
Place of birthPretoria, South Africa
Date of death6 February 2017(2017-02-06) (aged 45)
Place of deathJohannesburg, South Africa
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight90 kg (14 st 2 lb; 198 lb)
SchoolHoërskool F.H. Odendaal
UniversityUniversity of Pretoria
Occupation(s)Professional Sportsman
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1993–2003 Blue Bulls ()
Correct as of 26 December 2007
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
1996–2003 Bulls 71 (61)
Correct as of 15 September 2012
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1993–2003
89
22		 (190)
(90)
Correct as of 15 September 2012

He captained the national side on ten occasions and was part of the team that won South Africa's first Tri-Nations title in 1998. Domestically he played for the provincial side the Blue Bulls from 1993 to 2003, with whom he won two domestic Currie Cup trophies in 1998 and 2002, and from 1996 until his retirement in 2003 played Super 12 rugby for Northern Bulls (later renamed the Bulls). He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007 and later into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

In 2011, it was announced that van der Westhuizen had motor neurone disease. He eventually began using a wheelchair and experienced speech problems, yet still raised awareness of the disease through his charity, the J9 Foundation.[2]

Early life

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Van der Westhuizen was born on 20 February 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa.[3] He was educated at Hoërskool F.H. Odendaal and at the University of Pretoria where he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree.[4] He played for the Junior Springboks in 1992.

Rugby career

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Van der Westhuizen spent his entire provincial career with South African side the Blue Bulls, from 1993 until 2003, whereupon he retired from playing rugby.[2][5] He played Super 12 for Northern Bulls (later renamed the Bulls) from the competition's inception in 1996 until his retirement in 2003.[6]

He spent his entire career as a scrum-half, despite standing 6 ft 2 ins, an unusually tall height for a player in this position.[7]

He was known for finding and penetrating the tiniest gaps in opposition defences.[8]

His first international cap came aged 22 against Argentina in Buenos Aires on the 1993 tour.[9] The following year he scored two tries in a memorable performance against Scotland at Murrayfield.[10][11]

South Africa hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup. This was their first time playing in a World Cup, a consequence of the previous apartheid.[12] In the final the Springboks faced New Zealand, who were favourites to win the tournament. On New Zealand's wing was Jonah Lomu, an emergent talent, capable of making powerful runs from deep. Lomu was effectively marked by Van der Westhuizen who made several key tackles, including one just outside the 22m line.[13][14] In 1997, he captained South Africa's Sevens team to the final at the 1997 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Hong Kong, where they were beaten by Fiji.[15]

Van der Westhuizen was part of the team that won South Africa's first Tri-Nations series title in 1998.[16] He captained the Bulls to the 1998 Currie Cup.[17] He first captained the South Africa team in 1999.[18] That year South Africa finished third at the World Cup.[19] After the tournament he discovered he had sustained a serious injury to ligaments in his knee in a match a fortnight earlier.[20] Injuries sustained while on international duty led to him missing the greater parts of three consecutive Super 12 seasons in 1998, 1999 and 2000.[21]

In November 2001, he became the first person to play one hundred matches for the Springboks.[18] Welsh club side Newport RFC had tried to sign him in 2001, but there was pressure on him to play his domestic rugby in South Africa, to be eligible for selection for the national side.[22] His selection for the 2003 World Cup made him the first person to represent South Africa at three finals.[23] The team met the All Blacks in the quarter-finals and were beaten.[24]

In November 2003, van der Westhuizen retired from international rugby, at which point he was South Africa's record test cap holder with 89, and record test try scorer with 38.[25] He had made 111 appearances for South Africa in total, captained them in ten tests,[6] and scored 190 points for his country.[26]

International statistics

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Test Match Record

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Against P W D L Tri Pts %Won
  Argentina 6 6 0 0 4 20 100
  Australia 15 8 1 6 1 5 56.67
  British Lions 3 1 0 2 2 10 33.33
  Canada 2 2 0 0 0 0 100
  England 11 5 0 6 4 20 45.45
  Fiji 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
  France 7 5 0 2 0 0 71.43
  Ireland 4 4 0 0 3 15 100
  Italy 4 4 0 0 3 15 100
  New Zealand 17 5 0 12 6 30 29.41
  Samoa 3 3 0 0 0 0 100
  Scotland 5 5 0 0 3 15 100
  Spain 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
  Tonga 1 1 0 0 1 5 100
  United States 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
  Uruguay 2 2 0 0 4 20 100
  Wales 6 6 0 0 6 30 100
Total 89 60 1 28 38 190 67.98

Pld = Games Played, W = Games Won, D = Games Drawn, L = Games Lost, Tri = Tries Scored, Pts = Points Scored

Test tries (38)

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Tries Opposition Location Venue Competition Date Result
1   Argentina Buenos Aires, Argentina Ferro Carril Oeste Stadium Test match 6 Nov 1993 Won 29–26
1   Argentina Buenos Aires, Argentina Ferro Carril Oeste Stadium Test match 13 Nov 1993 Won 52–23
1   Argentina Johannesburg, South Africa Ellis Park Stadium Test match 15 Oct 1994 Won 46–26
2   Scotland Edinburgh, Scotland Murrayfield Test match 19 Nov 1994 Won 34–10
1   England London, England Twickenham Test match 18 Nov 1995 Won 24–14
1   New Zealand Pretoria, South Africa Loftus Versfeld Test match 24 Aug 1996 Lost 26–33
2   New Zealand Johannesburg, South Africa Ellis Park Stadium Test match 31 Aug 1996 Won 32–22
1   Argentina Buenos Aires, Argentina Ferro Carril Oeste Stadium Test match 9 Nov 1996 Won 46–15
3   Wales Cardiff, Wales Cardiff Arms Park Test match 15 Dec 1996 Won 35–20
1   Tonga Cape Town, South Africa Newlands Test match 10 Jun 1997 Won 74–10
1   British Lions Durban, South Africa Kings Park Stadium Test match 28 Jun 1997 Lost 15–18
1   British Lions Johannesburg, South Africa Ellis Park Stadium Test match 5 Jul 1997 Won 35–16
1   New Zealand Auckland, New Zealand Eden Park Tri Nations Series 9 Aug 1997 Lost 35–55
1   Ireland Pretoria, South Africa Loftus Versfeld Test match 20 Jun 1998 Won 33–0
1   Wales Pretoria, South Africa Loftus Versfeld Test match 27 Jun 1998 Won 96–13
1   England Cape Town, South Africa Newlands Test match 4 Jul 1998 Won 18–0
1   Australia Perth, Australia Subiaco Oval Tri Nations Series 18 Jul 1998 Won 14–13
1   New Zealand Durban, South Africa Kings Park Stadium Tri Nations Series 15 Aug 1998 Won 24–23
1   Wales London, England Wembley Test match 14 Nov 1998 Won 28–20
1   Scotland Edinburgh, Scotland Murrayfield Test match 21 Nov 1998 Won 35–10
1   Ireland Dublin, Ireland Lansdowne Road Test match 28 Nov 1998 Won 27–13
1   New Zealand Pretoria, South Africa Loftus Versfeld Tri Nations Series 7 Aug 1999 Lost 18–34
1   Scotland Edinburgh, Scotland Murrayfield World Cup 3 Oct 1999 Won 46–29
1   Uruguay Glasgow, Scotland Hampden Park World Cup 15 Oct 1999 Won 39–3
1   England Paris, France Stade de France World Cup 24 Oct 1999 Won 44–21
1   England Bloemfontein, South Africa Free State Stadium Test match 24 Jun 2000 Lost 22–27
1   Ireland Dublin, Ireland Lansdowne Road Test match 19 Nov 2000 Won 28–18
1   Wales Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium Test match 26 Nov 2000 Won 23–13
2   Italy Port Elizabeth, South Africa Boet Erasmus Stadium Test match 30 Jun 2001 Won 60–14
1   Italy Genoa, Italy Stadio Luigi Ferraris Test match 17 Nov 2001 Won 54–26
3   Uruguay Perth, Australia Subiaco Oval World Cup 11 Oct 2003 Won 72–6

World Cup matches

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  Champions   Runners-up   Third place   Fourth place

No. Date Opposition Venue Stage Position Tries Result
1995
1. 25 May 1995   Australia Newlands, Cape Town Pool match Scrumhalf 27–18
2. 3 Jun 1995   Canada Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth Pool match Substitute 20–0
3. 10 Jun 1995   Samoa Ellis Park, Johannesburg Quarter-final Scrumhalf 42–14
4. 17 Jun 1995   France Kings Park, Durban Semi-final Scrumhalf 19–15
5. 24 Jun 1995   New Zealand Ellis Park, Johannesburg Final Scrumhalf 15–12
1999
6. 3 Oct 1999   Scotland Murrayfield, Edinburgh Pool match Scrumhalf (c) 1 46–29
7. 10 Oct 1999   Spain Murrayfield, Edinburgh Pool match Substitute 47–3
8. 15 Oct 1999   Uruguay Hampden Park, Glasgow Pool match Scrumhalf (c) 1 39–3
9. 24 Oct 1999   England Stade de France, Paris Quarter-final Scrumhalf (c) 1 44–21
10. 30 Oct 1999   Australia Twickenham, London Semi-final Scrumhalf (c) 21–27
11. 4 Nov 1999   New Zealand Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Third place play-off Scrumhalf (c) 22–18
2003
12. 11 Oct 2003   Uruguay Subiaco Oval, Perth Pool match Scrumhalf (c) 3 72–6
13. 18 Oct 2003   England Subiaco Oval, Perth Pool match Scrumhalf 6–25
14. 1 Nov 2003   Samoa Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Pool match Scrumhalf 60–10
15. 8 Nov 2003   New Zealand Telstra dome, Melbourne Quarter-final Scrumhalf 9–29

Awards and honours

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He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007,[27] and in 2015 became a member of the World Rugby Hall of Fame when the International Hall was merged with it.[28]

Private life and controversy

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van der Westhuizen in 2014

In 2001, he and his wife of six years, Marlene,[29] divorced, shortly before he married Amor Vittone.[30] He had two children with Vittone.[31]

In February 2009, Rapport newspaper and Heat magazine reported that they had video evidence of him engaging in sex play with a mystery blonde and snorting a white substance.[32] Charmaine Weavers claimed to have had an affair with him in an interview with YOU magazine. His marriage to Vittone fell apart.[2] At the end of March he lost his job as a television presenter with the South African broadcaster SuperSport.[33]

On 28 June 2009, he was admitted to hospital with a suspected heart attack,[34] although he was discharged soon afterward when tests found no evidence of heart problems. A panic attack was suspected.[35] On 1 November, coinciding with the release of his autobiography Spieëlbeeld ("Man in the mirror"), van der Westhuizen confessed to being in the controversial sex video and apologised for lying.[36]

In a telephone interview in August 2013 with BBC Sports correspondent James Peacock, he spoke about facing up to the controversy. "What I did went against all my principles - my life was controlled by my mind and I had to make my mistakes to realise what life is all about, I led my life at a hundred miles an hour. I've learned that there are too many things that we take for granted in life and it's only when you lose them that you realise what it is all about. But I know that God is alive in my life and with experience you do learn. I can now talk openly about the mistakes I made because I know my faith won't give up and it won't diminish. It's only when you go through what I am going through that you understand that life is generous."[37]

Illness and death

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In May 2011, van der Westhuizen's publicist confirmed that he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.[38] Some weakness had first been noticed in his right arm near the end of 2008, but he had put this down to the aftereffects of an old rugby injury.[39] A few months later, Dr Kelbrick, his personal doctor and a family friend, noticed his right arm weakness and arranged for tests.[38] At that time, Van der Westhuizen was given between two and five years to live.[39]

An August 2013 BBC Sport report illustrated the progress of his disease – by then, Van der Westhuizen was using a wheelchair, and his speech had grown increasingly slurred. He told reporter James Peacock,[39]

I realise every day could be my last. It's been a rollercoaster from day one and I know I'm on a deathbed from now on. I've had my highs and I have had my lows, but no more. I'm a firm believer that there's a bigger purpose in my life and I am very positive, very happy.

In January 2014, he returned to the United States to participate in clinical studies with ALS researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He planned to visit the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Center in New York City, which provides support to MND patients, as Van der Westhuizen hoped to start a similar organisation in South Africa.[40] He set up a charitable organisation, the J9 Foundation, to raise awareness, funds and to support research.[41] He regularly spent time with his children, Jordan and Kylie.[39]

A feature-length documentary, Glory Game, directed by Odette Schwegler, followed him for a period while he was dealing with having motor neurone disease. It was broadcast in 2015 on DStv Box Office.[42]

On 4 February 2017 he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at the Fourways Life Hospital in Johannesburg where he was placed on a ventilator. He died at his home in Johannesburg surrounded by his family[43] on Monday, 6 February 2017, at the age of 45.[44][45] A public memorial service was scheduled for 10 February at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.[46]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ranking the 10 Best Scrum-Halves in Rugby History". Ruck. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Malin, Ian (6 February 2017). "Joost van der Westhuizen obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  3. ^ "Joost van der Westhuizen". News24. 3 October 2003. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  4. ^ "Joost Heystek Van der Westhuizen". whoswhosa.co.za. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  5. ^ "Joost Heystek van der Westhuizen". ESPNScrum. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Joost Heystek Van der Westhuizen". SA Rugby. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  7. ^ Hewett, Chris (16 October 2003). "Van der Westhuizen upholds Springboks' formidable tradition". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  8. ^ Richardson, Ed (19 August 2011). "Greatest Rugby World Cup XV: scrum-half profiles - Joost van der Westhuizen". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  9. ^ "Sporting Digest: Rugby Union". The Independent. 6 November 1993. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  10. ^ Law, Graham (21 November 2015). "From the archive: Scotland stuck in a time warp". The Scotsman. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  11. ^ Reid, Alasdair (17 November 2013). "Joost van der Westhuizen epitomises true Springbok spirit". The Herald. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  12. ^ "1995: Party time for SA". BBC News. 24 June 1995.
  13. ^ "Joost van der Westhuizen and Jonah Lomu - friendship borne from rugby's ultimate rivalry". stuff.co.nz. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  14. ^ "Great Sporting Moments". The Independent. 24 June 1995. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  15. ^ "Fiji storm back to lift cup". The Irish Times. 24 March 1997. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  16. ^ Short, Paul (22 August 1998). "Rugby union: South Africa's crown". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  17. ^ "Joost captains Bulls". News24. 6 September 2000. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  18. ^ a b "Joost: 100 and counting". News24. 21 November 2001. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  19. ^ Berlin, Peter (1 November 1999). "Wallabies Win Tense Semifinal in Extra Time: Springboks' Cup Hold Broken by Australia". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  20. ^ "Joost out of rugby for six months". Cape Argus. 9 November 1999. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  21. ^ "Sport: Rugby Union. Same old problem for Joost". BBC News. 10 November 1999. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  22. ^ Hewatt, Chris (4 September 2001). "Newport outraged by Springbok snub". Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  23. ^ "Boks drop race row pair". BBC News. 30 August 2003. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  24. ^ "New Zealand overpower Boks". BBC News. 9 November 2003.
  25. ^ "Joost tips SA recovery". BBC News. 8 November 2003. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  26. ^ "The greatest scrum-halves: Joost van der Westhuizen". Rugby World. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  27. ^ "IRB honour for Gerber, Joost". News24. 20 June 2007. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  28. ^ "Inductees: Joost van der Westhuizen. South Africa". World Rugby. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  29. ^ "Freedom suits the Springbok". The Independent. 16 November 1995. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  30. ^ de Bruin, Philip; van Wyk, Sanri (3 November 2009). "Another Joost lover confesses". News24. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  31. ^ "TimesLIVE". timeslive.co.za. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  32. ^ "Sex, lies and the video". News24. 24 February 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  33. ^ "SuperSport parts ways with Joost". Mail & Guardian. 31 March 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  34. ^ "Joost in hospital". Cape Argus. 28 June 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  35. ^ Farrelly, Hugh (2 July 2009). "Legend Joost on mend after affairs of heart". Irish Independent. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  36. ^ Fitzpatrick, Marida (2 November 2009). "Joost confesses, but says 'it was the only time'". News24. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  37. ^ "Joost van der Westhuizen: Still fighting on his deathbed". BBC Sport. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  38. ^ a b "Joost van der Westhuizen diagnosed with motor neurone disease". The Guardian. 12 May 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  39. ^ a b c d Peacock, James (19 August 2013). "Joost van der Westhuizen: Still fighting on his deathbed". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  40. ^ "Joost flies to USA for motor neurone studies". ESPN Scrum. 28 January 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  41. ^ "Joost van der Westhuizen in motor neurone disease research drive". BBC News. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  42. ^ Muller, Antoinette (9 September 2015). "Joost van der Westhuizen: Glory Game has a vital role to play in MND awareness". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  43. ^ "Joost se familie versoek privaatheid". Maroela Media (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  44. ^ "BREAKING: Joost van der Westhuizen dies". Sport24. News24. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  45. ^ "Joost van der Westhuizen kritiek". Maroela Media (in Afrikaans). 4 February 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  46. ^ "Joost to be laid to rest on Friday". Sport. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
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Sporting positions
Preceded by Springbok Captain
1999, 2003 		Succeeded by
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