World Cup winners to give Joost send-off

SEVERAL of the late Joost van der Westhuizen’s 1995 World Cup-winning teammates will act as pall-bearers at his memorial service in Pretoria today.

Former Bulls and Springbok scrumhalf‚ Van der Westhuizen, died in a Johannesburg hospital on Monday following a six-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis‚ a form of motor neuron disease (MND). He was 45. Captain of the victorious 1995 winners, Francois Pienaar, will lead the eulogies to his fallen teammate.

Van der Westhuizen was an instrumental figure during the tournament on home soil 22 years ago‚ especially in the final, with his superb defence against All Black wing, Jonah Lomu.

Pienaar on Monday described Van der Westhuizen as an “extraordinary” player.

Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula will deliver a speech while erstwhile teammate and chief executive of the SA Rugby Legends Stefan Terblanche will also eulogise his former teammate.

Members of Van der Westhuizen’s family are also set to speak and local artists will perform music.

Chairman of World Rugby‚ Bill Beaumont, has also flown out from Dublin to represent the world body.

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander will represent his organisation while more than 20 000 people are expected to attend the service.

Following a private ceremony for the close family and loved ones earlier this morning‚ Van der Westhuizen’s casket will be escorted to Loftus Versfeld. The gates to the stadium will be opened to the public. — TMG