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GLORY GAME
The Joost van der Westhuizen Story
c: 083 444 1880
2nd Floor, 139 Greenway Road, Greenside, JHB.
odette@blinkpictures.net | www.blinkpictures.net
Co Reg: 2013/202846/07
c: 083 444 1880
2nd Floor, 139 Greenway Road, Greenside, JHB.
odette@blinkpictures.net | www.blinkpictures.net
Co Reg: 2013/202846/07
Cruel Fate has no favourites
when it chooses victims;
tragedy can strike anyone.
Former South African Springbok captain, Joost van der Westhuizen is no stranger
to the spotlight.
From fame on the rugby field to his fall from grace amid rumours and deceit,
his life has been public property.
Now he tackles a crippling disease which has no regard for his past triumphs, and
again he lays himself bare to the world…fighting for survival, for his family and
for others affected by Motor Neuron Disease.
In the face of death, Joost discovers his humanity.
A
compelling
tale
of
redemption set against the
backdrop of rugby glory,
‘Glory Game’ is the story of a
modern day warrior forced to
face his own human frailty.
He shows us that beyond
ambition, success and fame
lies the true wealth of family
and friends, and that within a
ravaged body can surge the
spirit of a survivor.
THIS IS JOOST VAN DER
WESTHUIZEN’S STORY.
It could be your
wake-up call…
1
“There are two things people take for granted everyday:
time and health. When you lose that. Then you wake up.”
- Joost van der Westhuizen
2
Cruel Fate has no favourites
when it chooses victims;
tragedy can strike anyone.
Former South African Springbok captain, Joost van der Westhuizen is no stranger
to the spotlight.
From fame on the rugby field to his fall from grace amid rumours and deceit,
his life has been public property.
Now he tackles a crippling disease which has no regard for his past triumphs, and
again he lays himself bare to the world…fighting for survival, for his family and
for others affected by Motor Neuron Disease.
In the face of death, Joost discovers his humanity.
A
compelling
tale
of
redemption set against the
backdrop of rugby glory,
‘Glory Game’ is the story of a
modern day warrior forced to
face his own human frailty.
He shows us that beyond
ambition, success and fame
lies the true wealth of family
and friends, and that within a
ravaged body can surge the
spirit of a survivor.
THIS IS JOOST VAN DER
WESTHUIZEN’S STORY.
It could be your
wake-up call…
1
“There are two things people take for granted everyday:
time and health. When you lose that. Then you wake up.”
- Joost van der Westhuizen
2
SYNOPSIS
Known for years as the golden boy of
SA rugby, the world reeled in shock in
April 2011 when the news broke that
Joost van der Westhuizen had been
diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease
(MND). The disease attacks the central
nervous system, causing progressive
disability. There is no known cure.
THE PROGNOSIS IS DEATH.
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
Odette Schwegler
Listed among the 40 most influential people in South
African media under 40, Producer/Director, Odette
has 17 years experience in directing and producing
award-winning television.
Co-owner of Bl!nk Pictures, Odette has specialized skills
in all aspects of production – technical; creative and
business. She has applied these skills with success to
hundreds of productions for local and international
clients. A formidable investigative journalist, Odette’s
work has exposed abuse and corruption; changed laws
and put people behind bars.
Anyone who’s seen Joost in action will know that he’s not one to give up without a fight.
His game-changing prowess as a rugby player is now galvanised in a battle for survival
and, more importantly, to make a difference to the lives of others with the disease.
Despite specialist assurances that he’d be in a wheelchair in a year and not likely see
his 42th birthday, Joost not only celebrated in style, but took to the skies, travelling
internationally with his J9 Foundation to meet the great minds who are working to find a
cure. In the UK he visited the University of Edinburgh’s Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor
Neuron Disease. He had an audience with MND Patron HRH Princess Anne and teamed
up with former rugby rival, Scott Hastings of the British Lions, who is now also a patron
in the fight against the disease. In the US he met former football star and fellow MNDwarrior Steve Gleason, and participated in clinical studies conducted by the world’s most
renowned researchers into MND. The next leg took the team to Australia for more highlevel meetings and research.
“In the beginning you go through all the emotions and you ask, ‘Why me?’ It’s quite
simple, ‘Why not me?’ If I have to go through this to help future generations, why not
me?” he says. His acceptance of his symptoms is equally pragmatic. “One day you can’t
move your arm, another day you don’t have speech. Every day you are reborn and you
take the day as it comes.”
Joost’s quest for a cure is relentless and his spirit has motivated those around him to
champion the cause…because in spite of the adversity he has faced, Joost remains a
man to envy.
3
Through Blink Pictures Odette continues to contribute
to current affairs and investigative programming, while
developing long form documentaries for international
release. Storytelling is her passion, her purpose.
Odette’s reputation in the industry has earned her
positions on the judging panels of the South African Film
and Television Awards (2010) as well as the International
Emmy Awards (2012).
Maecenas eu pharetra orci. In et nibh gravida, pulvinar mauris ac, suscipit
diam. Maecenas sit amet sem iaculis, rhoncus ante et, elementum magna.
Vestibulum interdum convallis magna. Vivamus id laoreet magna.
Donec rutrum libero non lorem ornare interdum. Morbi pharetra vitae ligula
consequat porta. Nunc tristique lobortis arcu, sed placerat nisl sagittis id.
Vestibulum fermentum turpis ante, sed dapibus diam fermentum at. Class
aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos
4
SYNOPSIS
Known for years as the golden boy of
SA rugby, the world reeled in shock in
April 2011 when the news broke that
Joost van der Westhuizen had been
diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease
(MND). The disease attacks the central
nervous system, causing progressive
disability. There is no known cure.
THE PROGNOSIS IS DEATH.
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
Odette Schwegler
Listed among the 40 most influential people in South
African media under 40, Producer/Director, Odette
has 17 years experience in directing and producing
award-winning television.
Co-owner of Bl!nk Pictures, Odette has specialized skills
in all aspects of production – technical; creative and
business. She has applied these skills with success to
hundreds of productions for local and international
clients. A formidable investigative journalist, Odette’s
work has exposed abuse and corruption; changed laws
and put people behind bars.
Anyone who’s seen Joost in action will know that he’s not one to give up without a fight.
His game-changing prowess as a rugby player is now galvanised in a battle for survival
and, more importantly, to make a difference to the lives of others with the disease.
Despite specialist assurances that he’d be in a wheelchair in a year and not likely see
his 42th birthday, Joost not only celebrated in style, but took to the skies, travelling
internationally with his J9 Foundation to meet the great minds who are working to find a
cure. In the UK he visited the University of Edinburgh’s Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor
Neuron Disease. He had an audience with MND Patron HRH Princess Anne and teamed
up with former rugby rival, Scott Hastings of the British Lions, who is now also a patron
in the fight against the disease. In the US he met former football star and fellow MNDwarrior Steve Gleason, and participated in clinical studies conducted by the world’s most
renowned researchers into MND. The next leg took the team to Australia for more highlevel meetings and research.
“In the beginning you go through all the emotions and you ask, ‘Why me?’ It’s quite
simple, ‘Why not me?’ If I have to go through this to help future generations, why not
me?” he says. His acceptance of his symptoms is equally pragmatic. “One day you can’t
move your arm, another day you don’t have speech. Every day you are reborn and you
take the day as it comes.”
Joost’s quest for a cure is relentless and his spirit has motivated those around him to
champion the cause…because in spite of the adversity he has faced, Joost remains a
man to envy.
3
Through Blink Pictures Odette continues to contribute
to current affairs and investigative programming, while
developing long form documentaries for international
release. Storytelling is her passion, her purpose.
Odette’s reputation in the industry has earned her
positions on the judging panels of the South African Film
and Television Awards (2010) as well as the International
Emmy Awards (2012).
Maecenas eu pharetra orci. In et nibh gravida, pulvinar mauris ac, suscipit
diam. Maecenas sit amet sem iaculis, rhoncus ante et, elementum magna.
Vestibulum interdum convallis magna. Vivamus id laoreet magna.
Donec rutrum libero non lorem ornare interdum. Morbi pharetra vitae ligula
consequat porta. Nunc tristique lobortis arcu, sed placerat nisl sagittis id.
Vestibulum fermentum turpis ante, sed dapibus diam fermentum at. Class
aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos
4
FILMOGRAPHY
CAST & CREW
2014 Spel van Glorie / Glory Game:
Director
The Joost van der Westhuizen Story
(Feature-length Documentary)
Odette Schwegler
Executive Producers
Joost van der Westhuizen
Odette Schwegler
kykNET Executive Producers
Jan du Plessis
Karen Meiring
Anneke Villet
Co-producers
Michael Yelseth
John Webb
H.R.H
AWARDS
Participants
Odette has been the recipient of several prestigious awards, including:
the CCN African Journalist of the Year (television); the Taco Kuiper Award
for investigative journalism: the USA / South African Health Journalist of
the Year; the SAB environmental Journalist of the Year and the WWB legal
Journalist of the Year.
For a detailed list go to: http://backyardtelevision.co.za/?page_id=1133
Odette was the co-owner of Backyard Productions from 2005 – 2013
www.backyardtelevision.co.za
Joost van der Westhuizen
Jordan van der Westhuizen
Kylie van der Westhuizen
Amor Vittone
Gustav van der Westhuizen (Snr)
Mariana van der Westhuizen
Pieter van der Westhuizen
Marijke van der Westhuizen
Jaco van der Westhuizen
Ruan van der Westhuizen
Morné van der Westhuizen
Juwan van der Westhuizen
Gustav van der Westhuizen (Jnr)
Sonja van der Westhuizen
Marlize van der Westhuizen
Leandri van der Westhuizen
Dr Henry Kelbrick
Matt Dawson
Kyran Bracken
Dan Retief
John van Rensburg
Austin Healey
Rupert Moon
Andy Gomarsall
Scott Hastings
Gavin Hastings
David Thorpe
Dr Erik P Pioro, MD, DPhil (Oxon), FRCPC
George Gregan
Justin Marshall
Prof. Syed Haq
Craig Muder
Bill Francis
Francois Pienaar
Hennie le Roux
Joel Stransky
Ruda Landman
Corné Krige
Gary Teichman
Adrian Garvey
Tinus Linee
Diane Linee
Lucky Surprise Manganye
Maria Manganye
Tshepo Somo
Rerando Debsy Somo
John Manganye
Bertha Manganye
Dorah Mokwena
Dr Hiroshi Mitsumoto, MD, DSc
Steve Gleason
Dr Franclo Henning
Prof. Siddharthan Chandran
Euan MacDonald
Finlay MacDonald
Alec MacDonald
Heyneke Meyer
Jean de Villiers
Dr Nazem Atassi, MD, MMSc
Dr Merit E. Cudkowicz, MD, MSc
Cast
Directors of Photography
Franco Booysens - Adult Joost
Liam Schwegler - 5-year-old Joost
Christian Schwegler - 7-year-old Pieter
Riley Schwegler - 2-year-old Gustav
Jarod Smith - 7-year-old Joost
Donovan Lottering - 15-year-old Joost
Richard Pinkney - 18-year-old Joost
Journalists
Odette Schwegler
John Webb
Ruda Landman
Production manager
Helen Potter
5
Michael Yelseth
Ian Miller
Natalie Haarhoff
Thomas Pretorius
Field directors
Odette Schwegler
Bernadette Cook
Research
Odette Schwegler
John Webb
Nicky Troll
Helen Potter
6
FILMOGRAPHY
CAST & CREW
2014 Spel van Glorie / Glory Game:
Director
The Joost van der Westhuizen Story
(Feature-length Documentary)
Odette Schwegler
Executive Producers
Joost van der Westhuizen
Odette Schwegler
kykNET Executive Producers
Jan du Plessis
Karen Meiring
Anneke Villet
Co-producers
Michael Yelseth
John Webb
H.R.H
AWARDS
Participants
Odette has been the recipient of several prestigious awards, including:
the CCN African Journalist of the Year (television); the Taco Kuiper Award
for investigative journalism: the USA / South African Health Journalist of
the Year; the SAB environmental Journalist of the Year and the WWB legal
Journalist of the Year.
For a detailed list go to: http://backyardtelevision.co.za/?page_id=1133
Odette was the co-owner of Backyard Productions from 2005 – 2013
www.backyardtelevision.co.za
Joost van der Westhuizen
Jordan van der Westhuizen
Kylie van der Westhuizen
Amor Vittone
Gustav van der Westhuizen (Snr)
Mariana van der Westhuizen
Pieter van der Westhuizen
Marijke van der Westhuizen
Jaco van der Westhuizen
Ruan van der Westhuizen
Morné van der Westhuizen
Juwan van der Westhuizen
Gustav van der Westhuizen (Jnr)
Sonja van der Westhuizen
Marlize van der Westhuizen
Leandri van der Westhuizen
Dr Henry Kelbrick
Matt Dawson
Kyran Bracken
Dan Retief
John van Rensburg
Austin Healey
Rupert Moon
Andy Gomarsall
Scott Hastings
Gavin Hastings
David Thorpe
Dr Erik P Pioro, MD, DPhil (Oxon), FRCPC
George Gregan
Justin Marshall
Prof. Syed Haq
Craig Muder
Bill Francis
Francois Pienaar
Hennie le Roux
Joel Stransky
Ruda Landman
Corné Krige
Gary Teichman
Adrian Garvey
Tinus Linee
Diane Linee
Lucky Surprise Manganye
Maria Manganye
Tshepo Somo
Rerando Debsy Somo
John Manganye
Bertha Manganye
Dorah Mokwena
Dr Hiroshi Mitsumoto, MD, DSc
Steve Gleason
Dr Franclo Henning
Prof. Siddharthan Chandran
Euan MacDonald
Finlay MacDonald
Alec MacDonald
Heyneke Meyer
Jean de Villiers
Dr Nazem Atassi, MD, MMSc
Dr Merit E. Cudkowicz, MD, MSc
Cast
Directors of Photography
Franco Booysens - Adult Joost
Liam Schwegler - 5-year-old Joost
Christian Schwegler - 7-year-old Pieter
Riley Schwegler - 2-year-old Gustav
Jarod Smith - 7-year-old Joost
Donovan Lottering - 15-year-old Joost
Richard Pinkney - 18-year-old Joost
Journalists
Odette Schwegler
John Webb
Ruda Landman
Production manager
Helen Potter
5
Michael Yelseth
Ian Miller
Natalie Haarhoff
Thomas Pretorius
Field directors
Odette Schwegler
Bernadette Cook
Research
Odette Schwegler
John Webb
Nicky Troll
Helen Potter
6
Cameras
Toby Harris
Bruce Cunningham
Johan Oosthuizen
Jonathan Price
Andrew Court
Lee Mander
Scott Richardson
Sound
Zamokhule Mkhize
Mzukisi Mtshiselo
Matt Kokkinn
Andre Feldmann
Camera assistant
Jo Savva
Translators
Technical Viewings
Postmasters
Final mix
Janno Müller
Sound design
Janno Müller
DCP Mastering:
Refinery
Original music:
“Mr. Number 9”
Sumi Botha
“Folsom Prison Blues”
Composed and performed by Johnny Cash
Ruda Landman
Robert Makomeme
Writer
Store manager
Graphic design
William Masilo
Production assistants
Brigitte Billings
Lisa Walters
Ronel Visagie
Jenny Hastings - Edinburgh, Scotland
Clare Duret - New Orleans, USA
Jenny Richardson - Sydney, Australia
Annie Weston - Queenstown, New Zealand
Shannon Zinn - New York
Nicholas Leydon - Boston
Stephanie Roche - Boston
Photography
Editors
Helen Potter
David Gibson
Animation
Bugbox Animation
Production accountant
Odette Schwegler
Jan Potgieter
Sharron Hawkes
Production insurance
Online Editors
Travel agent
Jan Potgieter
Petri Kleynhans
Hanlie Carstens
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK:
SARU
Ian Schwartz
De Jongh Borchardt
South African Rugby Legends
Tanya Harvey
Pieter Muller
AVIS Rent a Car
Bronwen Shaw
THIS FILM TOOK US ACROSS THE WORLD, WHERE WE HEARD INSPIRING
STORIES OF SURVIVAL AND MET HEROES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST MND.
Jeannine Vickerman
Legal adviser
Paul Jacobson
5
8
Cameras
Toby Harris
Bruce Cunningham
Johan Oosthuizen
Jonathan Price
Andrew Court
Lee Mander
Scott Richardson
Sound
Zamokhule Mkhize
Mzukisi Mtshiselo
Matt Kokkinn
Andre Feldmann
Camera assistant
Jo Savva
Translators
Technical Viewings
Postmasters
Final mix
Janno Müller
Sound design
Janno Müller
DCP Mastering:
Refinery
Original music:
“Mr. Number 9”
Sumi Botha
“Folsom Prison Blues”
Composed and performed by Johnny Cash
Ruda Landman
Robert Makomeme
Writer
Store manager
Graphic design
William Masilo
Production assistants
Brigitte Billings
Lisa Walters
Ronel Visagie
Jenny Hastings - Edinburgh, Scotland
Clare Duret - New Orleans, USA
Jenny Richardson - Sydney, Australia
Annie Weston - Queenstown, New Zealand
Shannon Zinn - New York
Nicholas Leydon - Boston
Stephanie Roche - Boston
Photography
Editors
Helen Potter
David Gibson
Animation
Bugbox Animation
Production accountant
Odette Schwegler
Jan Potgieter
Sharron Hawkes
Production insurance
Online Editors
Travel agent
Jan Potgieter
Petri Kleynhans
SPECIAL THANKS
SARU
Ian Schwartz
De Jongh Borchardt
South African Rugby Legends
Tanya Harvey
AVIS Rent a Car
Bronwen Shaw
Hanlie Carstens
Jeannine Vickerman
Legal adviser
Paul Jacobson
5
8
OUR SINCERE THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS
AND THE VENUES THAT HOSTED US.
Venues
Director: Afrikaans Channels M-Net
South Africa
Coco Bongo
Ellispark Stadium
Gold Reef City
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
The Table Bay Hotel
The Springbok Rugby Museum
Karen Meiring
Manager: Production
Christel Sampson
Marketing and Publicity
Jeanne de Wet
Maryke Allers
Leo Smit
Suzaan Keyter
Brigitte Billings
Edinburgh, Scotland:
Edinburgh Castle
Murrayfield Stadium
The University of Edinburgh
The Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone
Disease Research
The Preston Hotel
Watsonian Rugby Club – The Hastings Room
Website and Social Media
Lindi Herbst
Marieke Snyman
London:
DStv Media Sales
The Le Grange, St Paul’s
talk Sport Studios
Fanie Terblanche
Nazeem Abrahams
Louise Wessels
United States:
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Cooperstown
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
Columbia University, New York
The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig MND/ALS Research Centre,
New York
New Orleans Saints, Mercedes-Benz Superdome,
New Orleans
Australia
The Middle Harbour Yacht Club, Sydney
New Zealand
APL Property Queenstown Limited New Zealand
Wakapitu Rugby Club
TO THE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE …
THANK YOU
Michael Yelseth
Gavin Varejes
Sheila McGillivray
Greg Peters
Scott Hastings
TO JOOST AND
THE VAN DER WESTHUIZEN FAMILY…
THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING US WITH
YOUR STORY.
‘Mr Number 9’
was composed and
performed by
Joost’s cousin
Sumi Botha
9
10
OUR SINCERE THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS
AND THE VENUES THAT HOSTED US.
Venues
Manager: Production
South Africa
Coco Bongo
Ellispark Stadium
Gold Reef City
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
The Table Bay Hotel
The Springbok Rugby Museum
Christel Sampson
Marketing and Publicity
Jeanne de Wet
Maryke Allers
Leo Smit
Suzaan Keyter
Brigitte Billings
Edinburgh, Scotland:
Edinburgh Castle
Murrayfield Stadium
The University of Edinburgh
The Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone
Disease Research
The Preston Hotel
Watsonian Rugby Club – The Hastings Room
Website and Social Media
Lindi Herbst
Marieke Snyman
DStv Media Sales
Fanie Terblanche
Nazeem Abrahams
Louise Wessels
London:
The Le Grange, St Paul’s
talk Sport Studios
United States:
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Cooperstown
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
Columbia University, New York
The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig MND/ALS Research Centre,
New York
New Orleans Saints, Mercedes-Benz Superdome,
New Orleans
Australia
The Middle Harbour Yacht Club, Sydney
New Zealand
APL Property Queenstown Limited New Zealand
Wakapitu Rugby Club
TO THE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE …
THANK YOU
Director: Afrikaans Channels M-Net
Karen Meiring
Michael Yelseth
Gavin Varejes
Sheila McGillivray
Greg Peters
Scott Hastings
TO JOOST AND
THE VAN DER WESTHUIZEN FAMILY…
THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING US WITH
YOUR STORY.
‘Mr Number 9’
was composed and
performed by
Joost’s cousin
Sumi Botha
9
10
GLORY GAME
The Joost van der Westhuizen Story
c: 083 444 1880
2nd Floor, 139 Greenway Road, Greenside, JHB.
odette@blinkpictures.net | www.blinkpictures.net
Co Reg: 2013/202846/07
c: 083 444 1880
2nd Floor, 139 Greenway Road, Greenside, JHB.
odette@blinkpictures.net | www.blinkpictures.net
Co Reg: 2013/202846/07