Since the release, this weekend, of Springbok star Joost van der Westhuizen’s biography, Joost: The Man in the Mirror by David Gemmell, everywhere you turn, it’s Joost, Joost, Joost.
This morning he was on John Robbie’s 702 show answering hard questions, following the revelations in the book related to that video that were splashed across the weekend papers:
Joost’s night of shame
New biography reveals how lust made rugby star betray his pregnant wife
“Just over three years ago I made the biggest mistake of my life. I did something I will probably regret the rest of my days.
“Against all my principles, I had a sexual liaison – we never had intercourse – with a woman who was not my wife. And we took drugs.”
These are the words of one half of South Africa’s version of Posh and Becks – former Springbok Joost van der Westhuizen in his new book, Joost: The Man in the Mirror.
It is his first public confession that the man wearing underwear and socks in that video – a screen grab of which was run on the front page of a major newspaper in February – was indeed him.
Now, you can find out first-hand what happened for yourself. Join Joost van der Westhuizen and David Gemmell for two book signings for the new biography of the former Springbok captain this weekend in Gauteng. Both signings will take place on Saturday the 7th of November, at the CNA East Rand Mall and CNA Menyln, respectively. Details below.
About the book
Arguably the best scrum-half to have played rugby union, Joost van der Westhuizen has created as much media excitement off the field as he did on it. From his rugby heroics to the controversies surrounding his personal life, Joost has been constantly in the news. The most devastating piece of bad press came in the form of a sex video that allegedly features Joost, a blonde woman who is not his wife, and a mysterious white powder…
In this book, Joost talks about his dreams and ambitions as a young boy, tracks his rugby highlights, including his three World Cups, and dissects the methods of the coaches who helped shape his career. He also discusses, in depth, the Kamp Staaldraad scandal, his long and successful career with the Blue Bulls and his job as a sports commentator with SuperSport.
On a more personal level, the book looks at his celebrity marriage to Amor Vittone, his role as father, and his attempts to find meaning in life after rugby.
Finally, Joost puts to rest the rumours that have swirled around him. For the first time, The Man in the Mirror tells the truth, and nothing but the truth. It will blow your socks off.
Event Details CNA East Rand Mall
Event Details – CNA Menlyn Park
About the author
David Gemmell is a freelance writer who has written for, among others, The Star, Business Day, the Financial Mail and Anytime magazine. He currently has a column in The Weekender featuring interviews with sports people.
Book Details
Book details
Please register or log in to comment
» View comments as a forum thread and add tags in BOOK Chat
November 3rd, 2009 @09:05 #
I'm trying to imagine a shabbier way to make money than pimping one's life and family out like this. Nope ... can't think of one.
November 3rd, 2009 @09:34 #
Joost is certainly making hay, but I doubt he'll make much money. As Kevin McCallum pointed out yesterday, the only sports-related book to make serious money for its author/subject was In Black and White. If Joost sells over 200 000 copies like that book did, on the other hand...
November 3rd, 2009 @11:21 #
The plot thickens - the writer, David Gemmell, died in 2006. This means that Joost either has access to a time machine or the book was written by a zombie.
November 3rd, 2009 @11:32 #
Ja, either that, or there are two writers called David Gemmell out there. I see yours was a "a bestselling author of heroic fantasy". Hmmm, maybe you're on to something, Sven.
November 3rd, 2009 @12:20 #
As a Gemmell fan I can confirm that this is indeed the case. This a worthy installment in Gemmell's Drenai series. I can just picture Joost the Legend as he stalks the ramparts of his media stonewalls, carefully polishing his rugby ball as he gazes with steely gray eyes at the hordes of verkrampte fans, lawyers and rabid journalists that lie waiting to storm the gates.
November 3rd, 2009 @13:13 #
This dovetails nicely with @GenreStories' latest:
http://twitter.com/genrestories
November 3rd, 2009 @13:17 #
Hahaha! Do not take the original David Gemmell's name in vain - I loved those Druss the Legend books.
No, David Gemmell is, apparently, the dad of somebody who rides at my stables, who also happens to be a writer. So there you go. David Gemmell, father of horse-mad kids and true blue Jozi resident. I wonder if he knows the famous guy he was named after?
November 3rd, 2009 @15:47 #
I love the story about Gemmell's death (not the horse/Joosty one) - apparently he was a chain smoker of note, was told to quit (or that would be it), but found he couldn't write without cigarettes, so he thought sod that and lit up again. He could write again, but thanks to the fags he died of a heart attack, and went out in a hail of nicotine.
Sigh. A man after my own lungs.
November 3rd, 2009 @16:31 #
Lee Child is another confirmed smoker/writer, Sarah. On his website, Jack Reacher marches through a cloud of Lee's ciggy smoke - go take a look.
www.leechild.com
November 3rd, 2009 @16:40 #
Add Kenneth Tynan to the smoker/writer list. Hid diaries are full of ciggie bereavement.