FAREWELL, JOOST
Emotional farewell for national superstar Joost
The body of former rugby star Joost van der Westhuizen is carried by teammates during the memorial for him at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria yesterday. The former Springbok captain made 89 appearances in Test matches, scoring 38 tries. He played as a scrumhalf and participated in three Rugby World Cups, most notably in the 1995 tournament which was won by South Africa. His coffin is accompanied by (on the left side) Francois Pienaar, Rudy Joubert, Hannes Strydom and John Smit; and on the right-hand side are Morné du Plessis, Andre Joubert, Joel Stransky, Hennie le Roux and Krynauw Otto.
JOOST van der Westhuizen made his final trip to Loftus Versfeld yesterday, where he was given a moving send-off by his family, friends and former Springbok teammates.
Speaker after speaker told of the former Springbok and Blue Bulls captain’s brave yet brutal fight with motor neurone disease (MND), which took his life, at the age of 45, on Monday after a lengthy battle.
His estranged wife, Amor Vittone, said Joost would live on for ever in the hearts of those who loved him.
“We stand here at Loftus, the place Joost called home. I’ve thought about when we first fell in love. Together we travelled the world. He was a real competitor and encouraged me to live life to the full,” said Vittone.
“Our children, Kylie and Jordan, were one of his greatest delights. They were one of the reasons he fought this illness so hard. He showed them how to be a fighter. “
Then, poignantly, she read their tributes. “The children wanted me to say, dadda you meant the world to us. Thank you for always caring for us. We love you, we love you, and will miss you. You will live on in our hearts for ever.”
Vittone, who was brought to the stadium in a wheelchair because of an injured leg, referred to MND as an “awful, horrible” disease.
“Of course we knew this day was coming but nothing prepares you for the sad reality that he is gone. I’m sure Joost is somewhere now sprinting down some green rugby ground, ball tucked under his arm, free from illness.”
His niece, Sumari Botha, sang a heartfelt rendition of a song she wrote a few years ago, Number 9, and by the end of the performance those on stage were reduced to tears.
PJ Powers and Ruhan du Toit also performed and helped turn a sombre event into a celebration of life.
Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula said Van der Westhuizen was among the best.
One of a kind
“Joost is a national superstar and in the league of George Gregan and Jonah Lomu,” said Mbalula. “It is on this very green grass that Van der Westhuizen’s heart lies deep. We decided to give him an official provincial funeral because he’s one of a kind and simply the best.”
The chairman of World Rugby, Bill Beaumont, said Van der Westhuizen was one of the finest players ever to play the game. “Not only was he extremely determined and skilful, he set the standard for the modern scrumhalf.
“I was a spectator at the 1995 World Cup final at Ellis Park. I think that is the greatest sporting event I’ve ever been to. And Joost was at the heart of that. Everyone remembers the three great tackles he made on the late Jonah Lomu.”
World Cup-winning captain Francois Pienaar said Van der Westhuizen was twice a legend, both on the field and in his fight against disease.
“On the field he played like a rock star, off the field he played like a rock star. Because, after all, he was a rock star. He was funny, and naughty,” said Pienaar.
His brother, Pieter van der Westhuizen, who cared for his ailing sibling throughout his illness, also paid an emotional tribute.
“He was always a positive man, even during his illness. That was always the spirit of Joost. He always made the most of life and never looked back. I will honour you for the simple man you were around us (family) and the legend you were to the world.”
President of the South African Rugby Legends Association, Gavin Varejes, read out messages of condolence from the likes of Princess Charlene of Monaco, Jake White, John Smit, Bryan Habana, Johnny Clegg and Shane Warne.
Varejes said: “I don’t want to mourn his death, but celebrate his life. I remember that day in 2011 when Joost came to share the terrible news of his illness with me. The words ‘give up’ were never in his vocabulary.”
At the start of the memorial, the national anthem was sung before a SA Police Service representative draped the coffin in the SA flag. Earlier, there was a private service for close family and friends. – ANA