Joost van der Westhuizen

Hi All,

I dont write articles on here but i just wanted to share with you all a video to what i consider the greatest scrum half to ever play the game. It breaks my heart that the great man may only have a few years left due to ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) but in his day he was the most standout scrum half in the world.

I actually rate him in my top 5 rugby players of all time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4EQaOdoaUY

Around 3.20 you see that tackle he made against Lomu

Yes, he certainly was the best player of his time, the best nine in the World.

It is a shame. I just wish him all the best for the future.

First thing, those old Wallaby jerseys were absolutely horrendous.

Van der Westhuizen had such whippet pace for a halfback. Much like Hougaard now for the Boks he could´ve probably played on the wing. One of the all-time greats of the game. The perfectly complete halfback: good kicking, great decision making, great awareness of the weak areas around the ruck and beyond, electric pace off the mark, an extra back rower on defence.

If only the ABs had someone of his quality. Bachop, who was in the video, has been our best for a while.

So sad to hear of his degenerative illness. The only consolation I can think of is that his legend in rugby will live on forever.

Pretty much described him to a tee there Kia. He really was the complete scrum half. I still conside that tackle that he made on Lomu as one of the most important moments in SA rugby. Noone was stopping Lomu one on one at that time. I still remember him saying that he had to make the tackle but that he thought that he would get injured as Lomu started to raise his knees as he came close to him in order to run over him as he did against so many other players.

That tackle was awesome eirebilly..Lomu had been unstoppable up to that point...apart from Geohegans ankle tap maybe...he'd been bouncing huge guys like Martin Johnson and Dean Richards around like school boys..

Joost was a fabulous player, as slippery as an eel. He was a tad selfish and not the best passer but I can't recall any scrum half as deadly around the fringes. His pace was electric and he was phenomenally strong.

That amazing try he scored at Twickenham doesn't seem to be on that video?

If only Lomu had stepped outside inside of in and linked up with Walter Little coming in from the right...

It was special rodders, i could watch it day in day out . Your right that his passing wasnt the best but it wasnt that bad either, it was only made to look worse due to the rest of his all round game being so good. I will have a look and see if i can find that try in Twikkers for you.

Kia, Lomu had run over everyone so he was probably a victem of his own success and underestimated the commitment that Joost had. It remains one of my all time favourite RWC moments.

Watched my grandad go out to a degenerative condition. Nasty way to go. Best wishes to him and his family.

Fantastic player, brave as a Lion, tough, courageous and highly skilful, and to put it quite simply he was the best in his position, ever. Great player, great Springbok and a credit to the game!!