Battle of the Greats: Joost vd Westhuizen vs Fourie du Preez

Joost van der Westhuizen and Fourie du Preez are arguably two of the greatest scrumhalves in the history of the game. If you had to choose only one to represent your ultimate team, who would it be?
#Springboks #FourieDuPreez #RIPJoost

[@ratters33]

I played against Joost in matric ('89). It was a friendly match as his school was in a higher league - he scored 7 tries against us, on his own!! He was the best scrummie the rugby world has seen, so far.

[@carldanelaubscher1489]

then came FAF

[@ryanwaugh1]

Depends what you looking for in a scrumhalf. As an individual he was the best. If you looking for what a guy did to the team then FDP

[@grethavanhuyssteen]

@@carldanelaubscher1489 Faf is an embarrassment for both joost and du preez

[@grethavanhuyssteen]

@@ryanwaugh1 agree, depends on the gameplan. Running gameplan: Joost. More conservative gameplan aka box kicks, set plays, etc. Du Preez hands down

[@ryanwaugh1]

@@grethavanhuyssteen what makes you feel Faf is so bad?

[@AdamPerkinsPhD]

As an England fan I admired du Preez massively for his technical command of the all round 9 game, plus he seems to be a nicer bloke than van der Westhuizen. But if I had to choose between him or van der Westhuizen for my team it would be van der Westhuizen as we feared him more because he had that larger than life quality like Maradona, where he would puff out his chest and take a match by the scruff of the neck. Pure warrior genius.

[@deelman3340]

Well put. I feel exactly the same. Both geniuses, du Preez the more balanced general, Joost the more of an x factor

[@Deontjie]

And somehow Dumb Blond Pienaar and our selectors choose to select Johan Roux over Joost for the 1995 world cup. Luckily for South Africa Roux got injured.

[@grantlake980]

Joost was sheer class. Always looking for the try. Always looking to hurt them. Best scrum half I have ever seen.

[@MeanAzz_13]

2 best number 9s to ever play the game imo From *New Zealand* 💪🏾🇳🇿

[@moegamadadams1156]

Aron Smith ...best 9 ever ,shows his worth over and over behind a losing pack at highlanders....and when he puts on a black jersey his a killer.both these 9s had the priveledge of playing behind bulls and springbok packs that always go forward...aron smith in a league of his own

[@MeanAzz_13]

@@moegamadadams1156 can't defend. Played in the loss to Ireland and loss to Argentina. Hopeless at 19 W.C

[@MrFijibati]

No competition or comparison required.. Joost was and still is the best #9.. heart of a Lion 💪

[@vilzskilz2009]

Joost all day, love from NZ supporter

[@Jarred811]

Fourie was exceptional but Joost was touched by greatness. Joost vs Gareth Edwards is the discussion the rugby world should be having.

[@mtnstrand2819]

Quite!!! The two best scrumhalves ever.

[@boerieroll]

For me, Fourie was the more technical more traditional scrumhalf, Joost was an enigma, a law unto his own, exciting unpredictable and supremely talented. Both greats of the game but if I had to choose I would choose Joost

[@meta4282]

Joost had a pathological refusal to be dominated on the field.

[@kevinryan766]

It's surprising to me, I don't know if this true, Joost was in FH Odendaal high school. Not exactly a big school

[@shaunhawkins7588]

50/50 really like fourie du preez looks like such a humble human being,but both were fine players and each deserve alot of credit rip J9

[@itude1237]

Joost, Fourie & Faf... all 3 were exceptional key cogs with all of the Bok’s WC victories

[@gmac94]

Both greats! Joost because he was the only one to tackle Jonah Lomu when he hit the RWC scene. Back when no one could stop him, Joost was the one who manned up and tackled him. All 3 epic players, respect!

[@mtnstrand2819]

Joost's athletic ability made him the better of the two. Together with Gareth Edwards, they're probably the three best scrumhalves ever to play the game.

[@stephenstrydom1]

Hard to image a rugby world without Joost

[@Billcasiopost]

Joost had more skills and was a better player but Fourie was smarter and tactically superior. Both AWESOME!!

[@henkstols9326]

Joost was to me a better player and had amazing defence, Fourie was more tactical and is our second best scrummie.

[@sixolisembongisa8323]

Henk Stols I concur

[@sqobamhlungujackson4786]

Huge fan of both. Think they had different skills. Joost was phenomenal with ball in hand and breaking from the loose scrums, but Fourie was the Generaal, directing the game and kicking on a penny (haven't seen any of his kicks in this video). SA and NTVL rugby was so blessed with both these players, best 9's of all time. Fourie also maybe had a slight advantage in the quality of players around him during most of his career, Matfield, Bakkies, Rossouw, van Heerden, Gary Botha, Hougaard, Morne Steyn, Habana, Ettienne Botha, the golden years. I think Joost's record in the green and gold was close to a try every 2nd match. Absolute machine.

[@johnkotze7720]

Joost all day long. One of the best ever

[@roan-zainclaassens7569]

Thanks for the video was really nice to see two all time greats again.. But we can't really compare the two as Fourie only played in the professional Era and Joost played his best rugby in a latter part of the amateur Era.. Fourie was an absolute general his kicking ability and skill to read a game is till this day untouched.. Joost kept defences on their toes with his breaks around the rucks and honestly one of the best support players to ever touch a rugby ball.. I will forever be a Fourie du Preez supporter he changed the role and importance of a 9 on the pitch.. Personally I would like to like to see a video where Joost is compared to Justin Marshall they are a fair contest to judge..

[@Enrique_00_]

This makes me proud to be a Bulls Supporter

[@gamewithwayne4831]

Joost is just on another level, he’d be the best even if he was playing today

[@HenryDube72]

Based on these highlights, Joost for sure.

[@mariusprinsloo1622]

This video showcase their tries, what was not shown was how Fourie du Preez's vision & excellent passing game led to many tries for his team mates.

[@ryanwaugh1]

Joost was a better individual player but Fourie was a better team player. I’d take Fourie as his distribution was faster and cleaner, and reading of the game was better. Joost was better running and defending.

[@NeilOosthuizen]

Looking at these two and the scrum-half talent SA had in the 2019 World Cup is just nuts...

[@abelpretorius7477]

Joost individual brilliance

[@PatrickCuba8]

I'll never forget when Fourie came onto the field in that match against the Argies and suddenly the supply of front foot ball became so clean and crisp that we smashed the Argies by a record score. And what about that performance against England in the group stages of 2007 WC...

[@sidneynoortman4161]

du preez is one of the best no9 make no mistake about but he we have to remember that he learn from the best no9 in the world to ever put on the no9 jersey then joost and there never will be ano9 to better then joost.joost number one then du preez.no one will ever be as goed as them

[@drukjohn1982]

Joost scored more tries and was more influential imo.

[@mikegreen1613]

That era of both their careers was that of true character, they're both respectfully the best in their role and modest personalities. None of this 'show pony' finishing like we see nowadays. Dot the try and job done, back to half way and ready up. We spend 5 minutes watching players performing skits, throwing up gestures and all sorts of shit after scoring. I miss this footy culture, real hard grafting footy. Joost, I'll never forget how you chopped Jonah down in 95, you're a great man overall. God bless you both as you were 'David' and Jonah was your 'Goliath'. Both were great friends til the end. Arohanui bro.

[@lm_b5080]

Now for an André Joubert vs. Percy video

[@Mr1in1000000]

Jooste a top 3 springbok for sure .

[@CantThinkofaCoolOne]

Joost, WOW!

[@jamiebrown1235]

Makes me wonder how Springbok rugby and especially Bulls management and coaching ruined Hougaardt. He was next in line.

[@subashsewchuran1803]

The main difference between the two is that Joost allowed the flyhalf to run the game and took control only if required whilst Fourie ran the game from 9, thus not requiring the flyhalf except for kicking hence the lack of development of most Bulls flyhaves in that Era. It was not Fourie's fault but the choice of the coaches.

[@sqobamhlungujackson4786]

@@subashsewchuran1803 Think he was referring to Francois Hougaardt, not Derrick.

[@sqobamhlungujackson4786]

Personally I think Francois was much more effective on wing, if he just continued playing wing he would've been viewed as a world class wing in a short amount of time. He had less of an impact once he moved to scrummie.

[@subashsewchuran1803]

@@sqobamhlungujackson4786 I think the issue with Francois was that they expected him to be another Fourie and he couldn't live up to expectations which impacted on his natural development as a 9.

[@subashsewchuran1803]

@Frikkie Oosthuizen I agree, we are lucky to have watched these 2 legends in action. Pure genius.

[@JenkiJ]

I don’t think anything could separate these two as far a legend status goes, however joost seemed to be a better individual player when it came to attacking play. Fourie however was always the central nervous system when it came to the bulls and boks and had such good knowledge on the game; given an inch of space he would create an opportunity. Both legends of the game. Hopefully Faf will make his mark in years to come as well.

[@RealRugby]

Amazing video. Where did you get all the footage?

[@alexandrosrapanos8483]

They were both very different players. Both excellent but different. Fourie was an amazing team player and most of the time mad players look like Demi- gods, by an amazing kick or pass. Joost was an amazing individual player as he was fast and a decent size. Both are amazing, if picking a team you have to see which better fits/ which role you need filled. As I stated both amazing players, I think they cannot be properly compares head to head, as they are so different.

[@georgedouglas3930]

Joost #GOAT

[@eddieyoshida9627]

Joost, then Fourie 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@RRSmurf]

If the rest of the back line is dangerous, Du Preez If it's not, then Joost.

[@ttvfatmangames]

Not really fair to Fourie if you show 100 tries of Joost and only 4 of Du Preez. However...both was world class and who will forget the game that Du Preez dominated for South Africa agains England in the 2007 World Cup that we won 33 - 0 (if I rememberd correctly) I loved them both and what their value was for for Springboks...

[@namaqualand2010]

Joost van Der Westhuizen, no contest. Next question.

[@boxingroyalty4840]

Not even close........Joost best

[@halasialemohe7607]

RIP Joost

[@tobolee6385]

Could fourie tackle lomu ..?!,,, joost miles ahead in skill and desire ,,,,

[@TheOuboet]

Joost was one of the best scrumhalves ever. But FdP was one of the best rugby players ever. He changed rugby.

[@mariuskoen1]

Joost

[@ay613]

Joost wins this just.

[@davidhalaholo839]

Fourie.. 🥐

[@thespeaker6322]

Joost was the best rugby player of all times, even better than Jonah Lomu.

[@NickSchoonwinkel]

Agree

[@struesbob7493]

Fourie was best SA player since readmission

[@lii114]

Bulls rugby went backwards

[@t.bozmkw3562]

FDP is the greatest. I love Joost but General Dupreez is magic. Fourie is a better Scrumhalf. Joost is better alround player. Fourie has kicking game and a top pass necessary as a 9. Joost relied on his size and pace. He's not a scrumhalf. You can't teach kids to play like Joost. FDP is the quintessential scrummy.

[@brandenvandermerwe5352]

Altwee ysters in hulle eie manier!

[@vincentskywalker6611]

We all know joost wins

[@duvenhage00]

Why is this even a question? Fourie du Preez is a rugby genius and, bar Danie Craven, the greatest SA scrumhalf ever.

[@JenkiJ]

There’s no footage of Danie Craven so don’t know how you came to that conclusion

[@duvenhage00]

@@JenkiJ Really? No footage? At all? Ok then. I read widely. Happy now?

[@JenkiJ]

Andre Duvenhage helaas, danie craven was nie in my era van rugby nie, daarom kan ek nie oordeel oor hoe goed hy was nie. Ek kan net nie sien hoe u die hou van Fourie du Preez en Joost kan vergelyk met 'n skrumskakel wat nie eers in die professionele era gespeel het nie.

[@RabbitholeIsrael]

they didn't call fourie du preez the general for no reason. He could read the game better than joost and are better tactical player than joost. Joost was better on individual basis.

[@worldallycat]

Joost