An aeroplane flew over Loftus Versfeld – its smoke forming the No 9 in the Pretoria sky as one of the city’s greatest sporting heroes was laid to rest.
Joost van der Westhuizen’s public memorial service drew a crowd that was clad in Springbok green and Bulls blue.
Bill Beaumont, president of World Rugby, flew in from Dublin.
Morne du Plessis, Joel Stransky, Os du Randt, John Smit, Naas Botha, Breyton Paulse, Stefan Terblanche, Francois Pienaar were just a few of the former Boks in attendance.
This was a ‘goodbye’ to a man that is largely considered to be one of the greatest scrumhalves in the history of the game.
A helicopter used smoke to draw the famous #9 that #Joost wore on his rugby jerseys. #RIPJoostVanDerWesthuizen @News24 pic.twitter.com/ApuoEO5toU
— Iavan Pijoos (@Iavan13) February 10, 2017
Former Springbok players and team-mates carrying the coffin of #Joost at the #Joostmemorial @News24 pic.twitter.com/3dKmwuUEHO
— Iavan Pijoos (@Iavan13) February 10, 2017