Springboks World Cup winner Van der Westhuizen dies at 45
Joost van der Westhuizen, who won the 1995 World Cup with South Africa as Nelson Mandela looked on, has died after a six-year-battle with motor neuron disease. He was 45.
SA Rugby announced the death on Monday.
The scrumhalf distinguished himself in the epic final with a scything tackle on Jonah Lomu, New Zealand’s colossal wing, and by delivering the pass to Joel Stransky for the winning dropped goal in extra time.
The emotional 15-12 victory helped rally South Africans of all colours behind a nation emerging from apartheid.