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Tue 7 Feb 2017 | 02:48
Joost van der Westhuizen scores within 16 seconds against Otago in 1994

6
Comments

As the rugby world mourns the loss of the great Joost van der Westhuizen, we've seen a number of emotive tributes online. While Joost scored 38 Test tries, he scored an impressive amount in tour games too. Here is a quick look at one such try from 1994.

Van der Westhuizen played 89 Test matches for the Springboks, but when you count tour matches, he actually represented his country 111 times. In that time, he scored 56 tries, meaning that outside of Test matches, his try scoring record is 18 tries in 22 tour matches.

A year after making his debut for South Africa, JVD was on tour in New Zealand. Above is a look at one of his typically opportunistic efforts, scored in just 16 seconds from kickoff against Otago.

Posted By: Grant Constable

6 Comments

  • drg
    6:20 PM 10/02/2017

    Haha, I didn't realise my miserable git comment could have resulted in so much sport.

    As I said, I don't really mind a bit of celebration, but I find sometimes when any try is scored and you end up with some borderline hugging and kissing, it gets a bit much... pat a guy on the head, give a few high fives, pats on the back and get back into it...

    As you said Larry, if its right at the end of the game and you score a winning try or something like that then sure, go full man love....

  • larry
    8:17 PM 09/02/2017

    Westhuizen was the most valuable player in the 1995 RWC in my opinion, despite what Lomu did, and Lomu did plenty.

  • larry
    8:10 PM 09/02/2017

    Couldn't agree with you more. The less celebrating the better. Get on with the game. Now if it's a try with no time left for the win, and it's the World Cup Final, that's another story.
    It seems Kiwis have had a habit of getting kicks charged down at Carisbrook resulting in tries for the opposition.

  • im1
    3:32 PM 08/02/2017

    I think a lot of the modern posturing etc is actually insecurity. Once you start to realise that you are good enough to do something special, you start to knuckle down and cut the bs out. The insecure man celebrates his try elaborately because he needs the confirmation it was good. The confident man scores a try and, as you say, says 'what next' can I do to show how great I am. And that's probably winning the WC

  • drg
    9:46 PM 07/02/2017

    Charges down kick, chases after it, scores try with an awesome slide, stops himself crashing barrier, gets up, tosses ball to kicker and gets back in line.....

    No fuss was made, no posturing, no chanting in opposition face...

    I don't mind the hugs in modern game, but it's great to see the bloke say, 'right what's next'...

  • xenophile
    6:16 PM 07/02/2017

    Absolute legend. A man who fought for every inch and always took a yard.
    He is one of the reasons I fell in love with the sport - his uncompromising style, skill, grit, amazing vision, and leadership. RIP Joost, you will be missed.

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