Joost van der Westhuizen

As of November 8, 2003

Joost van der Westhuizen ( born February 20, 1971 in Pretoria ) is a former South African rugby union player who was active for the " Springboks " as scrum half and played in the Super 12 for the Bulls. He finished his career in 2003 as the most-capped player in his country. This record was broken by Percy Montgomery at the World Championships in 2007. Van der Westhuizen still holds the record for most attempts for South Africa.

He participated in the World Championships 1995, 1999 and 2003, with the Springboks in 1995 won the world title in their first participation equal. Among other things, his tackle against the New Zealander Jonah Lomu was responsible for the victory over the All Blacks in the final. In addition, his attack -oriented style of play was added. Again and again he took the ball on, instead of fitting it to the back line, and lay in his career while 38 attempts, as many as no other player has ever scored in his position.

Van der Westhuizen ended his career after the World Cup 2003. He has won up to the Super 12 tournament all the titles that can be won for a South African rugby player. His achievements were recognized with induction into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. From Planet Rugby, he was also voted the best Scrum-Half of the story.

In May 2011 der Westhuizen amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS) was diagnosed in Van.