Joost predicts a Bok win if the weather’s wet

IF IT’S wet, the Boks will beat Ireland by five points, but if it’s dry, the victory margin will go up to 40. That was the prediction from Springbok legend Joost van der Westhuizen yesterday ahead of today’s clash at the Aviva Stadium.

He never tasted defeat against the Irish in four Tests, and Van der Westhuizen is backing his former team to continue winning after beating the Australians and the Kiwis in their last two matches.

The 43-year-old former Bok captain is in Dublin to attend an Irish Rugby Legends dinner to raise awareness of motor neuron disease (MND), which he was diagnosed with in 2011. He will try to establish another branch of his J9 Foundation in the UK on this trip as well.

Last Monday, another Springbok Tinus Linee died after battling with MND. His funeral will take place in Paarl today.

Appearing on Irish TV3 breakfast programme Ireland: AM yesterday, Van der Westhuizen said through his brother Pieter: “It depends on the weather. I believe that Ireland do have a chance to beat South Africa, but it doesn’t mean that they will. Again, it depends on the weather. If it is wet, South Africa by five, but if it’s dry, South Africa by 40.”

Van der Westhuizen also spent time with Ireland’s rugby team yesterday. The SA Rugby Union announced yesterday that there will a moment’s silence before tonight’s Test to honour Linee, former Bok captain Abie Malan, Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa, for mer 800m world champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi and boxer Phindile Mwelase, who all passed on recently.

“These deaths hit our country hard and we’re grateful to the International Rugby Board and Ireland Rugby Football Union for allowing us to show our respects at the Aviva Stadium,” Saru president Oregan Hoskins said.

Bok captain Jean de Villiers said while the focus would be on the rugby, his team would like to bring the nation together while remembering the stars.

Tonight’s match kicks off at 7.30pm South African time.