THERE were scenes of great emotion when guest of honour at a Grens Hoërskool fundraiser, former Springbok rugby captain Joost van der Westhuizen, was wheeled into the school hall to a standing ovation by a crowd of over 300 rugby-lovers on Thursday evening.
The proceeds of the event were shared between Van der Westhuizen’s J9 Foundation and the school.
“Grens Hoërskool is proud to have raised over R100 000 to assist Joost,” said one of the fundraising committee members Andre Schoombee.
“We are also proud of the business people and community of East London who rallied around and supported the cause.”
The hero of the 1995 World Cup was one of four former Boks invited by the school to talk about their playing days.
The others were lock Mark Andrews, fullback Andre Joubert and lock Adri Geldenhuys, who replaced Gary Teichmann, who was unable to attend after his recent election as the new chief executive of Sharks Rugby.
The emcee, well-known radio and TV star Darren Scott, kept the audience well entertained with stories of his time as the host of SuperSport TV programme Boots ’n All.
Van der Westhuizen, who lives with Motor Neuron Disease, listened while his former teammates recalled his illustrious playing days.
Joubert, who was Van der Westhuizen’s roommate during the 1995 World Cup, said he was the “X-Factor” during the event which South Africa won when they defeated the All Blacks through a Joel Stransky drop goal during extra time.
Geldenhuys added that Joost was a “fighter both on the field and off the field”.
Andrews said Joost had lived life to the full and second-place was never an option for him.
Joost’s fearless tackling of New Zealand wing Jonah Lomu was emphasised by the former players and Scott. A montage of a tackle by Joost on Lomu was among the many rugby memorabilia items auctioned by Scott.
Schoombee said that Michael Osner, Linda and Allan Gunn of the Nahoon Arms in Beach Road, had contributed well over R60 000 for memorabilia which will decorate the pub.
Grens fundraiser pays tribute to Joost
The proceeds of the event were shared between Van der Westhuizen’s J9 Foundation and the school.
“Grens Hoërskool is proud to have raised over R100 000 to assist Joost,” said one of the fundraising committee members Andre Schoombee.
“We are also proud of the business people and community of East London who rallied around and supported the cause.”
The hero of the 1995 World Cup was one of four former Boks invited by the school to talk about their playing days.
The others were lock Mark Andrews, fullback Andre Joubert and lock Adri Geldenhuys, who replaced Gary Teichmann, who was unable to attend after his recent election as the new chief executive of Sharks Rugby.
The emcee, well-known radio and TV star Darren Scott, kept the audience well entertained with stories of his time as the host of SuperSport TV programme Boots ’n All.
Van der Westhuizen, who lives with Motor Neuron Disease, listened while his former teammates recalled his illustrious playing days.
Joubert, who was Van der Westhuizen’s roommate during the 1995 World Cup, said he was the “X-Factor” during the event which South Africa won when they defeated the All Blacks through a Joel Stransky drop goal during extra time.
Geldenhuys added that Joost was a “fighter both on the field and off the field”.
Andrews said Joost had lived life to the full and second-place was never an option for him.
Joost’s fearless tackling of New Zealand wing Jonah Lomu was emphasised by the former players and Scott. A montage of a tackle by Joost on Lomu was among the many rugby memorabilia items auctioned by Scott.
Schoombee said that Michael Osner, Linda and Allan Gunn of the Nahoon Arms in Beach Road, had contributed well over R60 000 for memorabilia which will decorate the pub.
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