Jonah Lomu’s Emotional Visit to Joost Van Der Westhuizen Resurfaces Before Ellis Park Clash
- A moving reunion between 2 rugby legends has resurfaced as the Springboks and All Blacks prepare to renew their famous rivalry
- The emotional footage captures a special meeting between Jonah Lomu and Joost van der Westhuizen years after their famous Ellis Park battle
- As rugby fans look towards Saturday’s clash, the resurfaced clip offers a poignant glimpse into the bond between 2 iconic rivals
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Jonah Lomu’s emotional visit to Joost van der Westhuizen has resurfaced ahead of the Springboks-All Blacks clash at Ellis Park on Saturday, 22 August 2026. The footage was recorded in 2015 when Lomu visited Joost at his Pretoria home during a world tour promoting his book and documentary.
Joost was already battling motor neurone disease and was using a wheelchair when Lomu arrived. The former All Blacks star greeted his old rival with a warm, “Hello, my friend.”
Jonah Lomu reflected on their famous rivalry
During the meeting, Lomu reflected on their encounter in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, when South Africa defeated New Zealand 15-12 at Ellis Park.
Lomu told Joost he was “just glad to see” him and said he could not leave South Africa without visiting his former opponent.
“It was always a privilege to play against you,” Lomu said, describing Joost as “such a gentleman and a great man”.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
Joost replied:
“You were the superstar.”
He also praised Lomu for “bringing out the best in me”.
A poignant rugby reunion
Lomu died in November 2015, aged 40, after suffering a heart attack. Joost died in 2017 following his battle with motor neurone disease.
The reunion has resurfaced as the Springboks and All Blacks prepare to meet again at Ellis Park, the venue forever linked to their historic 1995 final.
Their exchange remains a striking reminder of the respect that existed between 2 of rugby’s most recognisable figures.
You can watch the video of Lomu and Joost below:
All Blacks respond to Springboks concerns
Briefly News previously reported that All Blacks coach Dave Rennie had responded to concerns raised by the Springboks ahead of their Ellis Park clash.
New Zealand had also taken its concerns to the match officials, with Rennie confirming that the All Blacks submitted video clips ahead of the Test. He declined to reveal the details, adding another layer of intrigue to the build-up.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
