South African · Pretoria, South Africa · Born 20 February 1971South Africa's greatest scrum-half and a World Cup winner in 1995, whose electric service, powerful running and tragic death from motor neurone disease before his 50th birthday left a deep mark on South African rugby.
Joost van der Westhuizen was South Africa's great scrum-half and one of the finest to play the position in rugby history. His brilliant try in the 1995 World Cup semi-final against France and his performance in the World Cup Final against New Zealand — when he tackled the giant Jonah Lomu repeatedly to keep scores down — are among rugby's most celebrated moments. He was World Rugby Player of the Year in 1997.
He was a key member of the South African team that won the 1995 Rugby World Cup on home soil.
How They Played
Van der Westhuizen was known for his lightning-quick service from the base of scrums and rucks, providing clean, fast ball to his fly-half. He possessed exceptional acceleration and running ability, often exploiting gaps around the fringes with his darting runs. His tactical kicking was precise and he had strong leadership qualities that made him an effective captain.
Lasting Impact
Van der Westhuizen set the standard for modern scrum-half play with his speed of service and attacking threat around the breakdown. His courage in battling motor neuron disease after retirement inspired many and raised significant awareness for the condition.
Career Honours
- Rugby World Cup Winner 1995
- Tri-Nations Winner 1998
- IRB World Rugby Hall of Fame Inductee 2011
- South African Rugby Player of the Year 1998
- South Africa Springboks Most Capped Scrum-Half
- Tri-Nations Winner 1996
| Club | Period | Apps | Tries | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulls | 1993–2003 | — | 0 | #9 |
| Lions | 1989–1993 | 141 | — | #9 |
 South Africa | — | 89 | 38 | — |
South African Athletes