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Cape Town - Former All Black scrumhalf Justin Marshall regards Joost van der Westhuizen as the greatest No 9 in Springbok history.
GALLERY: Joost van der Westhuizen through the years
According to the Stuff.co.nz website's Marc Hinton, the scrumhalves were arch-rivals for nearly a decade and considered the top players in the position for the majority of that period.
Marshall said the 1995 Rugby World Cup winner, who played in 89 Springbok Tests and scored 56 tries, is the best scrumhalf South Africa ever produced.
"When he was on song he could flip a game and win it almost single-handedly,” Marshall told Fairfax News.
“He was a magic player. One time I remember he made a break through the line, I was defending deeper, and I thought this was my chance to line him up and put him into a hospital ward. I launched myself, only for him to chip over my head, pirouette around me and score beside the posts."
Marshall said his respect and admiration for Van der Westhuizen has only increased since the Springbok legend was diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 2011.
"He's suffering, and it's really difficult to see the way he is now," he said.
"You know he is going to die from it, and die sooner rather than later."
During his last visit to South Africa in February this year, Marshall watched in awe as Van der Westhuizen auctioned off memorabilia to raise funds for his J9 Foundation in aid of motor neuron disease sufferers.
"To see him giving up the things that meant the most to him to support the fight against motor neuron disease, it was a pretty overwhelming thing," said Marshall.
HAVE YOUR SAY: In your opinion, is Joost van der Westhuizen the greatest scrumhalf to represent South Africa? If not, which other players deserve the mantle? Send your thoughts to Sport24.
GALLERY: Joost van der Westhuizen through the years
According to the Stuff.co.nz website's Marc Hinton, the scrumhalves were arch-rivals for nearly a decade and considered the top players in the position for the majority of that period.
Marshall said the 1995 Rugby World Cup winner, who played in 89 Springbok Tests and scored 56 tries, is the best scrumhalf South Africa ever produced.
"When he was on song he could flip a game and win it almost single-handedly,” Marshall told Fairfax News.
“He was a magic player. One time I remember he made a break through the line, I was defending deeper, and I thought this was my chance to line him up and put him into a hospital ward. I launched myself, only for him to chip over my head, pirouette around me and score beside the posts."
Marshall said his respect and admiration for Van der Westhuizen has only increased since the Springbok legend was diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 2011.
"He's suffering, and it's really difficult to see the way he is now," he said.
"You know he is going to die from it, and die sooner rather than later."
During his last visit to South Africa in February this year, Marshall watched in awe as Van der Westhuizen auctioned off memorabilia to raise funds for his J9 Foundation in aid of motor neuron disease sufferers.
"To see him giving up the things that meant the most to him to support the fight against motor neuron disease, it was a pretty overwhelming thing," said Marshall.
HAVE YOUR SAY: In your opinion, is Joost van der Westhuizen the greatest scrumhalf to represent South Africa? If not, which other players deserve the mantle? Send your thoughts to Sport24.
