Stransky, Terblanche pay tribute to Joost
The rugby world bid farewell to a great of the game on Monday, as former Springbok scrumhalf and captain Joost van der Westhuizen passed away after a lengthy battle with Motor Neuron Disease.
The 45-year-old Springbok legend was officially diagnosed with the debilitating disease in 2011 and was not given long to live by doctors. But true to his fighting spirit, Van der Westhuizen battled for six years before he passed away.
He will be remembered not only as one of the greatest Springboks to have played the game but as one of the best scrumhalves and players in the world. For a number of years, Van der Westhuizen held the record for the most tries scored by a Springbok (38) before Bryan Habana surpassed that back at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
News of Van der Westhuizen's passing spread quickly on Monday afternoon and family, players, friends and fans all mourned the loss of a legend of the game.
Stefan Terblanche, who played a number of Tests alongside Van der Westhuizen in the late 1990s, was pensive when I spoke to him on Monday afternoon. Terblanche spoke of Joost's fighting spirit and tenacity on and off the field but also mused over Joost's fun-loving nature. LISTEN:
East Coast Drive with Phat Joe then got hold of a player who shared an even closer bond with Joost - one that changed the course of history in South Africa.
Deep in extra time of the 1995 Rugby World Cup final at Ellis Park, Springbok flyhalf Joel Stransky suddenly changed a call, dropped back in the pocket and screamed for Joost to pass him the ball far behind a scrum inside the All Blacks half. The scrumhalf fed the ball to Stransky, who struck one of the most sweetly-timed drop goals in history to win the final for the Springboks.
The pair played many Tests together, were roommates on tours, directed the Springboks play in that era and formed a formidable half-back pairing.
“I’m in the office here in Johannesburg, rather numb, rather dysfunctional, thinking I might go home and have a glass of wine for my friend,” Stransky said late on Monday afternoon.
He was deeply touched by the news of his former Bok partner’s passing and paid him an amazing tribute. He remembered Joost as a warrior, a general, a joker but most tellingly as a friend.
Stransky believes Joost will go down as one of the best we’ve ever seen – and it’s hard not to agree. The man could play.