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 […]

Faf du Plessis played one of the innings of his life on Tuesday… and then had to watch helplessly as Sri Lanka’s acting captain, Upul Tharanga, almost stole his thunder in a memorable fourth ODI at Newlands, in South Africa. In the end the Proteas achieved what looked like a clear-cut win by 40 runs to […]

South Africans in SA and around the world, who cannot attend the public memorial of former Springbok captain Joost van der Westhuizen, are called on to wear their Springbok jerseys on Friday. The memorial will be held at Loftus Versveld (Kirkness street, Pretoria) at 12h30pm on Friday 10 Feb 2017. For those who cannot attend, […]

Tributes have poured in for Joost van der Westhuizen from around South Africa, and the world. Nando’s posted a simple but powerful picture of the restaurant chain’s logo with the words “Our number one number 9″… referring to the former scrumhalf’s Springbok jersey number. (Watch a fan’s Number 9 tribute video below, featured on SAPeople in […]

One of the most searched for videos on SAPeople today is the one below, when New Zealand rugby great Jonah Lomu went to South Africa and visited his rival and close friend, Springbok player Joost. Jonah Lomu passed away in November 2015. Joost van der Westhuizen died today. Watch the wonderful video below of the […]

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 […]

It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Joost van der Westhuizen has passed away. He died at the age of 45. His J9 Foundation announced at about 14h25, Monday afternoon: “It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Joost. He passed away in his home surrounded by his loved […]

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has congratulated the (rather Pink!) Proteas on taking a 3-0 winning lead over Sri Lanka in the five-match ODI series. The Proteas won their third match in a row when they won the Pink Day ODI at the Wanderers Stadium by 7 wickets yesterday. It also represents the 12th consecutive ODI the Proteas […]

After stumbling against England at the Sydney Sevens Tournament in Australia yesterday, South Africa took sweet revenge in the Finals Sunday to beat England 29-14… and scoop the Springbok Sevens’ THIRD 2016/2017 World Rugby Sevens title. Reporting for SASCOC, Mark Etheridge said “the Blitzboks blasted into the final of the Sydney Sevens tournament on Sunday […]

Former Springbok rugby player Joost van der Westhuizen remains in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at hospital in a critical but stable condition, according to his J9 Foundation. UPDATE: Joost van der Westhuizen has sadly died at the age of 45. “He is responding well to his loved ones and putting up an incredible fight. He […]

South African rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen remains in a “stable but critical condition”, according to the latest official update from his J9 Foundation facebook page. [UPDATE 6 Feb: Joost van der Westhuizen has sadly passed away at the age of 45.] Despite the rumours and media reports claiming he has passed away, his J9 […]

The Springbok Sevens team on Saturday lost to England 21-15 in their final pool A match of the Sydney Sevens… BUT (phew!) remains on track for a third World Rugby Sevens Series tournament title. South Africa will face USA in the Allianz Stadium on Sunday in one of the four Cup quarterfinals to be played […]

South Africa’s awesome rugby Sevens team, the Blitzboks, did what any traveller to Sydney, Australia does – they headed to Bondi Beach on their day off, ahead of the Sydney Sevens rugby tournament this weekend. The South African team – which won the Sevens tournament in Wellington, New Zealand last weekend – posted photos on Twitter (see […]

Faf du Plessis and David Miller scored centuries apiece to set the Proteas up for a 121-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second Momentum ODI at Kingsmead  in Durban, South Africa, on Wednesday. This gives the SA national team a 2-0 lead in the series, leading into the third match at the Wanderers Stadium on Saturday. […]

Photos of a teacher’s kindhearted gesture during an athletics race in the Northern Cape is sweeping social media. Riaan van Straten scooped a Grade R-3 athlete up, onto his back, when he was told there was a “problem”. Angela Motswamere (5) desperately wanted to participate in a 60 metre race with her friends. Riaan told Netwerk24 that when he […]

Springbok Sevens coach, Neil Powell, on Sunday acknowledged that his team’s victory in the Wellington Sevens tournament, in New Zealand, was especially ‘pleasing’. The 26-5 win over Fiji in the final was only the Blitzboks’ second tournament win at this venue since 2002, when South Africa won with Powell as a player in the squad. […]

Since Roger Federer beat the odds to win the Australian Open at the age of 35, and after six months away with an injury, the world can’t seem to get enough of him and his opponent – and good friend – Rafael Nadal. Here’s that famous clip of the two having a fit of laughter […]

For the first time in five years Swiss tennis player Roger Federer (who credits his South African mother for much of his success) is a major champion again, after beating Spanish sportsman Rafael Nadal in an epic nail-biting five-set battle at the Australian Open. Federer danced with joy when he realised he had won (watch […]

Following rumours that Rassie Erasmus may replace Springbok rugby coach Allister Coetzee (who has had a disastrous run, helping plummet South Africa’s national team to historic losses)… the SA Rugby Union (SARU) released a statement saying an announcement will be made towards the end of this forthcoming week. Erasmus’ lawyer has denied the rumours, and […]

The Springbok Sevens team on Sunday clinched the Wellington Sevens tournament and extended their lead on the overall World Rugby Sevens Series log. A thrilling 26-6 win over Fiji secured only their second ever tournament win in New Zealand. And Seabelo Senatla broke the Blitzboks’ try-scoring record, achieving his 180th try in the final. (Watch […]

Swiss tennis player Roger Federer credits much of his success on and off the court to his mom, Lynette, and to the family’s trips back to her homeland of South Africa when he was growing up. According to Roger’s dad, Robert, Roger inherited his athletic gifts from his mom… whom he admits is a better tennis player and golfer […]

The Springbok Sevens team arrived safely in the “Land of the Long White Cloud” on Sunday and South African speedsters Siviwe Soyizwapi and Rosko Specman said they are keen for the HSBC Wellington Sevens to start in the New Zealand capital on Saturday morning (SA time). The tournament, the third in the 2016/2017 HSBC World […]

According to Sport24 the future of Allister Coetzee as Springbok coach is under question. In a report Sunday morning, Sport24 quoted South African Rugby (SARU) President Mark Alexander as saying “we’re not sure which way we’re going, whether we’re keeping Allister or not”. After the Springboks’ historic losses in Europe last year (including to Italy […]