Local rugby club pays homage to Joost

The Johannesburg Police Rugby Club (Bobbies) will wear black bands in upcoming rugby games, in honour of former Springbok Scrumhalf, Joost van der Westhuizen.

Club chairperson James du Toit said that his Emmarentia-based team is saddened by the loss of the player on 6 February, who he called an “absolute icon” of the game.

“He was one of the few real Springboks, he was not one of the glorified ones. He was real. He was human,” Small said. “South African rugby has lost someone special. I am sure that being sick was hard on him, so maybe he is better where he is now.”

Small said the team will wear black bands during their next set of fixtures on 25 February.

Van der Westhuizen died at the age of 45, after suffering from motor neuron disease.