South African rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen has died in Johannesburg at the age of 45, the J9 Foundation confirmed on Monday. The former Springbok and scrumhalf fought gallantly against motor neuron disease (MND) for nearly six years. The disease causes the degeneration of cells that control muscle movements. When he was diagnosed with a form of MND in 2011, at the age of 40, Van der Westhuizen was given two-and-a-half years to live, yet he held on with the unwavering determination he showed on the field playing for the Springboks, the Bulls and his beloved Blue Bulls. Francois Pienaar‚ the 1995 World Cup-winning captain, described him as “extraordinary”. “It’s time for reflection‚” Pienaar said in a text message to Times Media. “I had a choice to either stay at home and die or continue to live my life,” he told The Telegraph in 2014. “I have a platform and now I am using it to help with awareness of MND. They [the doctors] are going to tell them [MND patients] they have two...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.