The Greatest Springbok Scrumhalf
My life as a Blue Bulls supporter can be split into different eras. There was the late 80’s when Northern Transvaal dominated the local rugby scene, the 90’s which was was a roller coaster decade with just two highlights and the glorious 2000’s when the Bulls became the greatest provincial team on the planet. The 90’s was the least successful period, but the Bulls did produce some great players like Jacques Olivier, Andre Snyman, Krynauw Otto and leading the charge, Joost van der Westhuizen.
Early Days
There were three scrumhalves in the mix at Northern Transvaal in the early 90’s, Robert du Preez, Johan Roux and Joost van der Westhuizen. Du Preez left to play for Natal in 1992 which opened the door for van der Westhuizen and in 1993, Roux moved to Transvaal, ensuring van der Westhuizen had the sole claim to the famous blue jersey.
I remember when Joost appeared on the scene in 1992. He hit the local rugby scene like a hurricane and very quickly made a huge impression on this ten year old. It was Naas Botha’s final season and I needed a new hero. Step up Joost. The reason he made such a big impression is because he wasn’t a conventional scrumhalf. He was big and strong, unusual for a position historically reserved for the vertically challenged player. He also had deceptive speed, could kick with both feet and he could break around the fringes. In fact, that would become his trademark and no one has done it better since.
Van der Westhuizen played in the Springbok trials in July 1992 and performed well, but Robert du Preez was selected ahead of him. He did however run out for the Junior Springboks against the All Blacks, the last time we would see the Junior Boks in action. After a strong Currie Cup performance for Northern Transvaal, van der Westhuizen was unlucky not to be selected for the end of year tour to France and Britain.
Van der Westhuizen kept building on that momentum in 1993 and was an exceptional player in an average Northern Transvaal team. He was selected to play for the South African ‘B’ team against the touring French team and scored two good tries, but again wasn’t selected for the Springbok team, still behind Robert du Preez in the pecking order.
The Boks went on a three test tour of Australia and this time Joost was on the plane. He didn’t play in any of the test matches, but he was exceptional in the mid week games he played, particularly against New South Wales. His star continued to shine and everyone know it was just a matter of time before he made his debut for the Boks.
His long awaited debut came against Argentina on 6 November 1993. He scored the first try of the match, something South African rugby supporters would become accustomed to over the next ten years. The Springboks weren’t great on the day, sneaking home 29 – 26, but Joost was solid. He scored another try in the second test a week later in a comfortable 52 – 23 win. He finished off 1993 on top of the world.
1994 turned out to be a roller coaster year for Joost. He started off as the incumbent scrumhalf for South Africa, but after a shock loss to England in the first test at Loftus Versfeld, van der Westhuizen was dropped for Johan Roux in the second test. The coach at the time, Ian Macintosh felt that Roux had a better kicking game and less ‘high risk’ than Joost. The Boks won the second test at Newlands and Roux subsequently kept his place in the starting line up in all three tests against New Zealand later in the year. Admittedly, van der Westhuizen didn’t play his best rugby on that tour and things needed to change.
Change came in September when Macintosh was replaced as Springbok coach by Kitch Christie. And how South Africa and van der Westhuizen’s fortunes would change.
The Glory Years
Argentina toured South Africa in October 1994 and van der Westhuizen was again back in the starting line up in the second test at Ellispark and scored a great try to seal a hard fought win for the Boks. He would repay the faith coach Christie had in him with superb performances on the tour of the United Kingdom. The test against Scotland will stand out for Joost. He scored two absolutely brilliant tries in a man of the match performance that is still spoken about today. I can still recall the excitement in Bill McLaren’s voice. Joost finished off the 1994 season with a strong performance against Wales at Cardiff arms park. The Boks had won four tests under Kitch Christie’s guidance and they would carry that form into 1995.
Rugby fever hit South Africa in May of 1995. It was the Rugby World Cup and we were hosting. The Springboks had erratic form in the three preceding seasons and few rugby pundits gave us a fair chance. The Boks had a tough opening encounter against reigning world champions Australia at Newlands. To this day I don’t think any team would have beaten us that day. Joost was brilliant, took pressure off Joel Stransky, took the right options and defended like a Trojan. He was key the Boks’ success and they famously won thee opening match 27 – 18.
Van der Westhuizen was the first choice scrumhalf throughout the World Cup and although he didn’t score any tries during the tournament, he was definitely a key cog in the Springbok machine. In the semi final van der Westhuizen had to leave the field in the last couple of minutes with a broken rib. He struggled to breathe and was in severe pain in the week after the semi final win, but he made it very clear to Frans Verster the team doctor that come hell or high water, he was going to play in the final. He was fed strong pain medication and his ribs were taped up for the final. The title of this article is ‘Fearless Champion’ which refers to one moment of brilliance, but also encapsulates his entire career. The player of the tournament was Jonah Lomu and he tore defenses to shreds with his combination of power, pace and skill. Early in the final, the All Blacks struck with a planned scissors move and Lomu cut through the defense line, only to be met by Joost who tackled him low and head on and felled the giant to the ground. Not bad for a player with broken ribs. Everyone know the rest of the fairy tale. The Springboks won against the odds with a perfect drop kick by Joel Stransky, but Joost deserves as much credit as he gave the perfect pass under tough pressure from Graeme Bachop. He was the best scrumhalf in the world after that World Cup and he proved this by scoring arguably his best try for the Springboks against England at Twickenham. Watch it in the video below, it’s truly brilliant.
Rugby turned professional in 1995 and in 1996, Northern Transvaal performed admirably in the new Super 12 competition, finishing third on the log and losing in the semi finals to eventual champions, the Auckland Blues. An interesting fact about this game is that van der Westhuizen was picked at wing to defend against Jonah Lomu, but coach John Williams forgot that it is a team sport and the Bulls were blown away at Eden Park.
The Springboks had an up and down season in 1996 winning eight out of thirteen tests, but famously losing the last ever test series against the All Blacks. Van der Westhuizen scored three tries during that series, but it wasn’t enough and New Zealand rewrote history. The Springboks turned the tide and went on an unbeaten tour to Argentina, France and Wales. The highlight for Joost was his brilliant hat trick against Wales at Cardiff Arms park.
1997 had a similar trend as 1996 with the Springboks losing a home test series against the British and Irish Lions with Joost scoring two tries in the series. The Boks again won eight out of thirteen tests and again went on an unbeaten tour at the end of the year. The Springboks played out of their skins on the end of year tour, scoring tries and breaking records. Unfortunately, van der Westhuizen was badly injured in the first test against France and his tour was over.
He made his comeback in 1998 and was in scintillating try scoring form. He dotted down eight times that year, unheard of for a scrumhalf. His most memorable tries were scored against New Zealand at Kings Park and against Wales and Ireland on the end of year tour. The Springboks were on top of the world in 1998, winning the Tri-Nations and only falling at the final hurdle against England. The highlight for Joost in 1998 was the Blue Bulls’ success in the Currie Cup. The last time the Bulls won the famous cup was in 1991 and under Eugene van Wyk’s coaching, the Bulls were the team to beat in 1998. Ruben Kruger was team captain, but was injured earlier in the season. The captaincy fell on Joost’s shoulders and he lead the Blue Bulls to a famous Currie Cup win against Western Province at Loftus Versfeld. Van der Westhuizen later said it was as special as winning the World Cup in 1995.
Van der Westhuizen was injured during the 1999 Super 12 season and wasn’t available for the first five tests of the season. After abysmal performances by the Springboks against Wales, New Zealand and Australia, Gary Teichman was unceremoniously dropped as Springbok captain in favour of the younger and more dynamic Bob Skinstad. Nick Mallet needed an experienced player to lead the Springboks to the World Cup and he turned to Joost who made his comeback as captain against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld. The Springboks were outplayed and well beaten, but Joost, again, scored a good try.
The Springboks weren’t the favourites in the 1999 Rugby World Cup and mostly went under the radar until the quarter finals where they met England at the Stade de France. I was lucky enough to be there that day and I watched Joost score a great try and lead the Springboks to an emphatic 44 – 21 win. The Springboks lost to Australia in the semi finals, but beat the All Blacks to finish an admirable third.
The Final Flourish
Between 1999 and 2002, the Blue Bulls were in dire straits and finished 9th in the Currie Cup in the 2000 season. Van der Westhuizen’s personal form mirrored that of the hapless Bulls and he was dropped for three games in favour of Werner Swanepoel. Van der Westhuizen played in all the tests in the 2001 season, but it was a forgettable season, both for Joost and for the Springboks. Injuries kept van der Westhuizen out of the Springbok team in 2002, but he again lead the Blue Bulls to a Currie Cup victory. The Bulls lost all their games in the Super 12 in 2002 and no one expected the turnaround in the Currie Cup. But with Joost’s leadership and a young general, Derick Hougaard, taking charge the Bulls swept the Lions aside in the final, winning 31 – 7 at Ellispark.
The Bulls had a strong Super 12 season in 2003 and Joost was back to his best, and earning a spot in the World Cup squad later in the year. The Boks weren’t a strong side in 2003 and were knocked out of the World Cup by New Zealand in the quarter final. That was to be van der Westhuizen’s 89th and last test for the Springboks. He scored 38 test tries, a record I doubt will ever be broken by any scrumhalf.
In my opinion, Joost van der Westhuizen was the greatest scrumhalf that ever played the game. Yes, even better than Gareth Edwards. He is someone who refuses to be knocked down, which is evident in his current battle with MND. I had the great privilege of meeting Joost last year and although the body wasn’t responding, his sense of humour and wittiness was still there. You could see the fight in his eyes and he lives life the same way he played rugby: without fear and on his own terms. He founded the J9 Foundation to help research MND and look for a cure. You can follow this link to find out more and to make a contribution http://joost.co.za/
Below are extensive highlights of Joost’s career. There are many highlights, because he was that good.
Thanks for the memories Joost.
