Joost van der Westhuizen, widely considered one of South Africa's finest rugby players, died on February 6 after a long battle with motor neurone disease.
Joost van der Westhuizen, widely considered one of South Africa's finest rugby players, died on February 6 after a long battle with motor neurone disease.
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The scrumhalf won 89 caps for his country and scored 38 tries between 1993 and 2003.
The scrumhalf won 89 caps for his country and scored 38 tries between 1993 and 2003.
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He helped South Africa win its first World Cup in 1995. As the first major sporting event to take place in South Africa after the end of Apartheid rule, the victory was considered a great political, as well as sporting, triumph.
He helped South Africa win its first World Cup in 1995. As the first major sporting event to take place in South Africa after the end of Apartheid rule, the victory was considered a great political, as well as sporting, triumph.
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The image of South African captain Francois Pienaar receiving the World Cup trophy from President Nelson Mandela became iconic. The tournament inspired the Hollywood film "Invictus," with Matt Damon playing Pienaar.
The image of South African captain Francois Pienaar receiving the World Cup trophy from President Nelson Mandela became iconic. The tournament inspired the Hollywood film "Invictus," with Matt Damon playing Pienaar.
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Van der Westhuizen was also part of the South Africa side which won the Tri-Nations -- now the Rugby Championship -- for the first time in 1998, winning all four games against New Zealand and Australia.
Van der Westhuizen was also part of the South Africa side which won the Tri-Nations -- now the Rugby Championship -- for the first time in 1998, winning all four games against New Zealand and Australia.
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He played his final Test match for South Africa against New Zealand, in a quarterfinal defeat at the 2003 World Cup. At the time of his retirement, van der Westhuizen was the most-capped player in Springboks history.
He played his final Test match for South Africa against New Zealand, in a quarterfinal defeat at the 2003 World Cup. At the time of his retirement, van der Westhuizen was the most-capped player in Springboks history.
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After being diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2011, van der Westhuizen was bound to a wheelchair for the final years of his life. He is pictured in a re-enactment of the team photo from the World Cup victory at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa.
After being diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2011, van der Westhuizen was bound to a wheelchair for the final years of his life. He is pictured in a re-enactment of the team photo from the World Cup victory at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa.
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He poses for a photo in 2014 with three England scrumhalves: (from left to right) Richard Wigglesworth, Danny Care and Ben Youngs.
He poses for a photo in 2014 with three England scrumhalves: (from left to right) Richard Wigglesworth, Danny Care and Ben Youngs.
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