In spite of a very hectic schedule while the Springbok rugbyplayers were busy in Plettenberg Bay with preparations for their World Cup campaign,  the captain, Joost van der Westhuizen, agreed to an interview with ICU.  Ollie and Katrina Olwagen went to see him in the Beacon Island Hotel to find out more about the real Joost.

Of course we knew that this young man is widely regarded as one of the great scrumhalves in world rugby. His player s profile on SARFU s website  is an example of a success story. Listen to this:

"He holds the record for most Test tries for the Springboks with 25 and is the second most capped Springbok of all.

Career highlights include that memorable 1995 Rugby World Cup Final, leading the Blue Bulls to the 1998 Bankfin Currie Cup title and winning the Winfield  Tri-Nations in 1998.

Arguably his finest moments on the field have been his brilliant solo  try against England at Twickenham in 1995, his three tries against Scotland  in Edinburgh in 1994 and his magnificent performance against Natal in the 1998 Bankfin Currie Cup Semi-Final.

Standing 1.88 metres tall and weighing in at 89 kilograms, Joost is elusive  in attack and devastating in defence and has more than earned the right  to be called one of the greatest scrumhalves of all time. "

But what does Joost have to say about these impressive words?

"I believe that I do not have to impress anyone, not my supporters or my friends or any of the other players. I only have to act in such a way that the Lord will be impressed with me. I am the only one accountable for my deeds before Him, no one else. All you have to do is to apply your  christianity in your everyday life."

In answer to the question where all this started Joost answered that there came a time, about 3 to 4 years ago, when it became clear to him and his  wife, Marlene, that they were not fully committed in their christianity.  They decided, on Marlene s initiative, to become more active and they  joined a more charismatic church. Since then they grew and became more  successfull.

Referring to drugs and other dubious substances, Joost said he doesn t need it.

"I was not raised that way and I am spiritually strong enough to do well without it. If you set your goals and work hard to achieve it,  the satisfaction is more than any drug can provide. These wise words apply: Some people look so hard for the meaning of life that they forget that life has meaning."

For Joost van der Westhuizen being a child of God through Jesus Christ means life. And he is not the only one in the Springbok team.

"We are quite a number and we meet often for fellowship and prayer," Joost said.

And we at ICU say YOU ARE TRUE CHAMPIONS!