Joost was born in Pretoria on 20th February 1971. He attended Derdepoort Primary School. He started playing rugby at the age of five. He was also selected for Northern Transvaal Athletics team at the age of nine. He was head boy of his primary school.

During his high school years at F.H. Odendaal High School, he was once again selected for Northern Transvaal Athletics team, played excellent Cricket and of course played Rugby for the school’s first team ( for 2 years), Administrators cup final and Craven Week Rugby. He matriculated in 1988.

He attended the University of Pretoria (Tukkies). He captained the Northern Transvaal Athletics team, was chosen for the S.A. Athletics team and was selected for Northern Transvaal Rugby. He graduated in 1992 with a BA Physical Education degree.

In 1993 he was selected for the Junior Springbok Rugby team and also the Springbok team. He captained Northern Transvaal Rugby team (now the Blue Bulls) in 1998 and 2002 when they won the Currie cup. He played for the Springboks in 1995 when they won the Rugby World cup, captained the Springboks in 1999 in the Rugby World Cup, when they ended third and was vice-captain of the Springboks in the 2003 Rugby World cup, making him the only South African rugby player to play in three Rugby World cup competitions.

In the record books, Joost holds the record for playing the most test games for the Springboks – 89 and for scoring the most tries – 38. He also holds the record for playing 111 games in a Springbok Jersey.

At the end of 2003 he announced his retirement from Rugby. He is now contracted to Supersport on television, commentates at rugby games, gives motivational talks and acts as MC at different functions. He has also been appointed head of sport at the university of Pretoria and coaches the university’s first rugby team.

He is married to singer and television presenter, Amor Vittone, and they are the proud parents of a son named Jordan and a daughter named Kylie. Together Joost and Amor also presented their own television programme “In die Kryt” on Kyknet and M-Net.

Joost was once proclaimed as being the best scrumhalf in the world. He has been very loyal to the Springboks and a proud South African - he is a true legend that will never be forgotton in the world of Rugby.