It’s another win for the Irish squad in South Africa – this time off the field.
The entire Ireland squad and coaching staff attended a charity event for former Springbok Joost van der Westhuizen’s J9 charity, which aims to help sufferers of Motor Neurone Disease, earlier this week in Johannesburg.
The legendary South African scrumhalf was diagnosed with the disease in 2011.
Tour Diary: Altitude & @9Joost #TeamOfUs #shouldertoshoulder https://t.co/WX5ewwgy3d pic.twitter.com/AsHP0ECNB3
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 14, 2016
Delighted to be at @9Joost fundraiser with the legend Joost. #shouldertoshoulder #TeamOfUs #rugbyfamily #mnd pic.twitter.com/2bOw0qolM6
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 14, 2016
A message posted on the Irish Rugby website stated:
They say never meet your heroes. They’re wrong. Today, after training, media and meetings, we met Joost van der Westhuizen. He really is worth meeting.
One of those special evenings that come about through rugby. An invitation to the J9 Foundation dinner to support the former Springbok captain Joost van der Westhuizen’s Motor Neuron Disease charity.
The luminaries from South African rugby who attended were full of praise for the Irish gesture, giving the Irish squad a standing ovation on their arrival.
Extraordinary gesture @IrishRugby: the ENTIRE squad is at tonight's @9Joost fundraising dinner. One great performance after another.
— Dan Nicholl (@dannicholl) June 14, 2016
Van der Westhuizen was one of the pioneering figures in a tumultuous time in South African rugby, earning caps between 1993 and 2003 and is widely considered to be the finest ever Springbok #9.
Wonderful night with @IrishRugby @StefanT15 @WayneFyvie celebrating @9Joost. Heartwarming to see the global rugby family come together.
— Dan Nicholl (@dannicholl) June 14, 2016
A truly heartwarming gesture from the Irish players and coaching staff and it serves to remind you that there is a whole lot more to rugby than what happens in the 80 minutes on the field.
