Fitting memorial to Joost at his hallowed Loftus
The life of former Blue Bulls and Springbok rugby icon was celebrated at an official memorial service at Loftus Versveld as the country bid farewell to one of it's great sporting sons. Trevor Cramer was there.
My Bloed is Blou, Hamba Kahle, Mooi loop Joost"
Those were the parting words from Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula at rugby icon Joost van der Westhuizen's memorial service at Loftus Versveld.
The coffin of the former Springbok and Bulls star was carried onto the hallowed Loftus turf by members of the 1995 World Cup-winning squad. This is where Joost played some of his most memorable games in both the famous light blue of the Blue Bulls as well as the Springbok green and gold.
Van der Westhuizen, regarded as one of the greatest rugby players of the modern era, died on Monday at the age of 45 after a long battle with motor neuron disease (MND).
The memorial was attended by some 2000 mourners, who broke out into spontaneous applause on a number of occasions to celebrate Joost's life.]
Various dignitaries , including World Cup-winning captain Francois Pienaar and the Chairman of World Rugby, Bill Beaumont, delivered tributes.
"Joost loved winning. He was the ultra-competitor," Pienaar told the mourners.
Few could forget that moment in 1995 when late President Nelson Mandela handed the coveteed William Webb Ellis Cup to Pienaar, as a fractured nation celebrated as one.
"In the days of amateur rugby, Joost already had a professional mindset and discipline," added Pienaar.
"He was funny, naughty and always, always smiling," the former Bok skipper related.
Beaumont, a former England and British Lions captain, said to this day he is convinced Joost 'invented the modern scrum half'.
"Not only was he extremely determined, competitive and skilful, but he set the benchmark for the modern player. He set the standard that everybody else followed."
Joost's former wife Amore Vittone, mother of his children Kylie and Jordan, brought the gathering to tears with an emotional tribute.
"The main reason I think that he fought so hard was that he wanted to be there for his children," she said.
The memorial service was also accorded official status by President Jacob Zuma. The coffin was draped in the South African national flag, and handed to Joost's parents Gustav and Mariana by the District Police Commissioner at the conclusion of the service.
"We are all patriots, irrespective of our differences, are stronger in our diversity. That is what Joost has brought to us and that is what we should continue to celebrate and enhance," said Mbalula.
The crowd were brought to tears by PJ Powers' rendition of 'The World in Union', the official theme tune of the 1995 Rugby World Cup as memories came flooding back of that incredible day in the country's history.
Joost's niece Sumi Botha, who now lives in Australia, performed her song 'My Number 9' and had just barely got her last note out, as she broke out into tears and was comforted by Joost's brother Pieter.
The service was concluded with the sounding of 'The Last Post', a traditional salute and the release of doves into the sky.
His memory will forever prevail, as his J9 Foundation continues its exceptional work creating awareness and promoting research into MND.
As the obituary read "Joost, to lose a Springbok legend at such a young age is very sad, but your memory will never die."
WE SALUTE YOU JOOST
R.I.P Joost van der Westhuizen