Suzy Jones is not South African… but like many in New Zealand, and around the world, she’s mourning the passing of Joost van der Westhuizen, the former Springbok scrumhalf who passed away on Monday after a long struggle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Suzy says: “I may be a Kiwi but I’m a Springbok supporter, and […]

South Africans sent shivers around the world on Friday, with an outpouring of love, grief and tributes to their beloved rugby legend – Joost van der Westhuizen – and the country he “loved with all his heart”, South Africa. On their own, or in groups, South Africans were united across borders and oceans on Friday […]

If you missed it earlier, these are the two videos most people have searched for on SAPeople, following rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen’s public memorial service at Loftus Versveld in Pretoria on Friday. Tribute from Amor Vittone, mother of Joost van der Westhuizen’s two children Tribute from Sumari (Sumi) Botha, Joost’s Niece MORE Video, […]

45 white doves were released for every year of Joost van der Westhuizen’s short life. And beautiful tributes were delivered for the rugby hero, who became a legend when he fought a disease so bravely and publicly… and reached out to help others affected by the same Motor Neurone Disease (MND) with his J9 Foundation. Sports Minister […]

South Africans from New Zealand and Australia, to Hong Kong and the Philippines, Gibraltar, the UK, USA and Canada… not to mention South Africa, Kenya and everywhere in between are wearing their Springbok colours today, to pay tribute to Joost van der Westhuizen. From sunny Australia… To a snowy Canada… On public transport… And at […]

Joost van der Westhuizen, who passed away on February 6 2017 at 45 after a prolonged battle with motor neurone disease, holds a special place in the annals of South African rugby. He was just Joost, one of those sports legends known by his first name – almost like Brazilian football stars. His status as […]

The Joost van der Westhuizen tribute song – first featured by SAPeople on Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Day in 2014 – will be performed by his niece Sumi Botha on Friday, at the Springbok rugby player’s public memorial in Pretoria. (Update, 10 Feb: Watch Sumari Botha sing Mr Number 9 tribute song at Joost’s Public […]

Joost van der Westhuizen’s estranged wife, Amor Vittone, posted a heartfelt message Monday afternoon for her “first love”, the former Springbok legend who died today – at the age of 45 – after a long and brave battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). She said: “Dis met n seer en swaar hart, dat ons afskeid geneem […]

Rugby World Cup (RWC) has joined fans around the world in wishing Joost van der Westhuizen a happy birthday today. Joost, who has inspired South Africa and the world with his battles both on and off the rugby field, turns 45 today. Joost was diagnosed with destructive degenerative disease Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in 2010, […]

The Samoa rugby team surprised South African rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen over the weekend with a rendition of a special Samoan hymn. The team, who will play the Springboks on Saturday 26 September in the Rugby World Cup, uploaded a video of the occasion to their facebook page on Saturday saying: “Totally humbling experience […]

Here’s the video (below) behind what has to have been the photo of the week…when Joost van der Westhuizen visited the All Blacks during a rugby training session in South Africa this week. The All Blacks take on the Springboks right now at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg. (Go Bokke!!!!) Let’s hope the Springboks perform as well as they did […]

Today is Global MND Awareness Day. For those unfamiliar with the term MND, it stands for Motor Neuron Disease, the fatal illness that Springbok legend Joost van der Westhuizen was diagnosed with in early 2011…and that touches the lives of so many South Africans. In a message to SAPeople, with a moving tribute song for Joost […]

Amor Vittone, widow of the late Springbok Joost van der Westhuizen has hinted about a secret romance.

Welsh and South Africans share a deep love for rugby, a key part of their identity, making their matches both competitive and respectful.

Springbok Try-Scoring History: Who holds the record, and can a current player challenge it?

The Springboks will face visitors Ireland at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 6 July. A look at their previous encounter in Pretoria.

Springbok prop Vincent Koch became the 49th player to play 50 Tests for South Africa when he ran out against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.

On this day 29 years ago flyhalf Joel Stransky landed an extra-time drop goal to give the Springboks a 1995 Rugby World Cup victory.

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus isn’t the first rugby star to get divorced. Does his ‘national hero’ status exempt him from public scrutiny?

As the Springboks head ever closer to the start of the 2024 season, it’s interesting to look back at which captains boast the best win record.

Four-time Rugby World Cup winners, the Springboks, lay claim to some of the game’s finest-ever players. Who are the top ten most capped?

It’s been confirmed that another life was lost when Hannes Strydom was involved in a fatal accident on Sunday night.

Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok Hannes Strydom has reportedly been killed in a road accident that happened on Sunday 19 November.

The Springboks maintained their ‘perfect’ record in Rugby World Cup finals, winning for the fourth time in Paris on Saturday.

The Springboks will play in their fourth Rugby World Cup final on Saturday, 28 October against the All Blacks in Paris.