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The rugby world is today in mourning following the passing of Springbok great Joost van der Westhuizen. Considered by peers and pundits alike to be among the greatest scrumhalves to have played the game, the man colloquially known by his first name suffered from debilitating motor neuron disease since being diagnosed in 2011.
Always a fierce competitor, Joost holds a special place in the memories of Americas fans. He holds the unique distinction of having competed against all four World Cup qualifying nations over the course of his decade-plus career.
In fact his first two test matches came in Buenos Aires, with South Africa just barely coming through the first test by 29-26 before overwhelming the Pumas 52-23 in the second. Joost would play four more times against Argentina, all but one held in Buenos Aires and the last time coming in 2000.
On two occasions he faced Canada. The first was as a replacement in the 1995 World Cup, coming on as a replacement in the infamous punch-up in Port Elizabeth that saw three players sent off for fighting.
During this campaign he would enjoy one of his finest moments, starring in the World Cup final opposite the All Blacks in one of the most storied matches of all time. Joost’s bravery in tackling a rampaging Jonah Lomu is considered by many to be one of the key factors that saved the game for the Springboks.
His second appearance against the men in red was as a starter when Canada toured South Africa in June 2000. Joost was a replacement in the win over the Eagles at Houston’s Robertson Stadium in 2001. It was to be his only appearance against the USA, but interestingly he won two test caps against Uruguay, both in World Cup competition.
In 1999 he scored one try against Los Teros as the Springboks won 39-3 in Glasgow. His second match against Uruguay came during the final weeks of his test career at the 2003 World Cup. On this occasion Joost scored three tries, just the second time in his career he had achieved a hat-trick, with the third try being the last time he would score in his test career.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNhIfyF-kOI
