Morne du Plessis & Joost van der Westhuizen at the 2015 Sport Industry Awards
Former Springbok scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen was honoured for his contribution to South African sport at an awards ceremony in Johannesburg on Thursday night.
Van der Westhuizen, who suffers from Motor Neuron Disease, received an award for his Outstanding Contribution to South African Sport at the 2015 Sport Industry Awards held at Sandton Convention Centre.
Van der Westhuizen received a standing ovation when he received his award from former Springbok captain Morne du Plessis. Several well-known sports personalities attended the event.
Van der Westhuizen is wheelchair-bound and was assisted on stage by his brother, Pieter.
Du Plessis was the manager of the 1995 World Cup winning Springbok team which Van der Westhuizen played in.
Du Plessis commented that when late coach Kitch Christie picked his Springbok team, he always dotted down Van der Westhuizen’s name first.
Van der Westhuizen, 43, played 89 Tests for the Springboks between 1993 and 2003.
Sport24