Joost van der Westhuizen played in 89 Tests for South Africa © Getty Images

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Matches: Argentina 16 - 16 South Africa

Tournaments/Tours: Rugby Championship

Teams: Argentina | South Africa

Former South Africa great Joost van der Westhuizen gave out the Springboks jerseys in an emotional ceremony ahead of the Rugby Championship clash with Argentina.

Van der Westhuizen, who played in 89 Tests and scored 38 tries for the Boks, is battling motor neuron disease and delivered a rousing speech to the Springboks at the team's hotel in Mendoza.

"It's a great honour for me to be here," he said. "I'm glad that I have the opportunity to talk to you as you are building what I believe will become a great team in future.

"But in my life there is no tomorrow and that is why I urge you to be great tomorrow against Argentina, as you represent your country, your family and yourselves. Go out there and be the best player you can be on the field and the best person you can be off the field."

Springbok captain Jean de Villiers thanked Van der Westhuizen and recounted the time he played with the great scrum-half in a Rugby World Cup warm-up game in Springs in 2003.

"When we were busy with the warm-up before the match, I almost had to pinch myself when Joost passed me the ball - this great guy whose tackle on Jonah Lomu in the World Cup in 1995 I will never forget," said De Villiers.

"Joost, you've been an inspiration to us and we wish you well with your battle [with motor neuron disease]. We know you as a fighter and we will always appreciate what you did for Springbok rugby."