This follows the moving and fitting memorial service held at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria on Friday morning.
Mourners included Governments of New Zealand and England, respectively who flew in especially for the service.
President Jacob Zuma has declared a special provincial official funeral for the former skipper, who died after a painful battle with motor neuron disease since 2011.
In his emotional speech the minister of sport Fikile Mbalula said “on this ever-green grass where the heart of Joost Van der Westhuizen lies dreaming, under the skies of the Jakaranda City, where birds are singing a song of the mountains, to which we have been summonsed by the soul of this doyen of South African rugby”.
“For Joost is not only the golden boy of Loftus Versfeld, he is a National loadstar and international sport icon in the League of George Gregan of Australia, Jona Lomu and Dan Carter of New Zealand.
We speak of him in these glowing terms because we believe his undying spirit will live on for many years to come, inspiring future generations of this rugby and sports-living nation.
When our proceedings draw to a close, we will hand over the flag to the family as a signal of our nation’s token of appreciation, a symbol of love and loyalty. The flag is a constant reminder of titanic battles this soldier fought at home and far afield, returning home to proclaim that the mission is accomplished,” said Mbalula.
Other mourners also included Boks coach Allister Coetzee, Heyneke Meyer, SA ruby boss Mark Alexander, Francois Piennaar, Blou Bulle players, Gugu Montlanthe (wife of former deputy president Kgalema) Deputy Minister of Sport, MEC for Sport and Recreation in Gauteng, his foundation J9 members and Sascoc representatives.
Rest eternally in Peace Jooste!
