South Africa's greatest scrum-half and a World Cup winner in 1995, whose electric service, powerful running and tragic death from motor neurone disease before his 50th birthday left a deep mark on South African rugby.
Joost van der Westhuizen was South Africa's great scrum-half and one of the finest to play the position in rugby history. His brilliant try in the 1995 World Cup semi-final against France and his performance in the World Cup Final against New Zealand — when he tackled the giant Jonah Lomu repeatedly to keep scores down — are among rugby's most celebrated moments. He was World Rugby Player of the Year in 1997.
Career Journey
Timeline
1971
👶 Born in Pretoria, South Africa
2003
🏁 Retired from professional sport
🏟️ Bulls
🏟️ Lions