‘Rock star’ Springbok farewelled
White doves were released and tributes flowed at an emotional farewell to South African rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen yesterday.
Van der Westhuizen died on Tuesday after suffering from motor neuron disease for six years.
A private funeral was held in the morning before a public memorial service at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
Rugby World Cup-winning captain and teammate Francois Pienaar was among those paying tribute. He described van der Westhuizen as a selfless individual who always put the interests of others before his own.
‘‘In the days of amateur rugby, Joost van der Westhuizen had a professional mindset and discipline. Captain Joost was incredibly easily and incredibly difficult. He always pushed the boundaries.
‘‘On the field he played like a rock star, and off the field he partied like a rock star – because he was, after all, a rock star,’’ Pienaar said.
South African Rugby Legends Association president Gavin Varejes said van der Westhuizen turned adversity into opportunity, remaining courageous throughout his illness.
‘‘Every lemon he picked, he made lemonade. And Joost always made sure that whenever he went, he found an upside in everything. If you visited him, when you asked him ‘How are you?’, he’d give you one word – awesome.’’
South African Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said van der Westhuizen made a huge contribution to rugby, both in South Africa and abroad.
‘‘Joost is not only the golden boy of Loftus Versveld. He’s a national star. An international sport icon in the league of George Gregan of Australia, Jonah Lomu and Dan Carter of New Zealand.’’
Van der Westhuizen’s estranged wife, Amor Vittone, said he was the best, most devoted father their son and daughter could have had.
‘‘Heaven has just gained another angel. Since Joost died, I’ve thought so much about when we first fell in love and he was this handsome man with beautiful eyes, goals and ambitions and a dynamic mindset.
‘‘We shared the love for our children that bound us together in a way that is unbreakable.
‘‘I won’t deny that I am scared as I face this huge task of bringing up our children without him. But we need to get through this time of shock and grief.
‘‘We need to find the best of his father, that is the best of them. His energy, his passion his courage. That is what Joost would have wanted.’’