SAMOA DESCRIBED THEIR meeting with South African rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen as a ”totally humbling experience.”
The Pacific Islanders opened their Rugby World Cup campaign with a 25-16 win against the United States on Sunday.
A day earlier their players spent some time in Brighton with van der Westhuizen, the legendary Springbok scrum-half who is battling Motor Neuron Disease.
In a beautifully poignant moment, the Samoans joined together to sing the hymn Fa’afetai i le atua (Thank you, God, our Creator).
“Totally humbling experience to meet Springboks legend Joost van Der Westhuizen in Brighton today,” a post on the team’s official Facebook said.
This man does not let Motor Neuron Disease define him or stop him living life to the fullest.
“This hymn seemed right for the occasion.”