Joost van der Westhuizen, who won the 1995 World Cup with South Africa as Nelson Mandela looked on, has died after a six-year-battle with motor neuron disease. Joost Heystek van der Westhuizen (20 February 1971 – 6 February 2017) was a South African professional rugby union player who made 89 appearances in test matches for the national team, scoring 38 tries. His marriage to Vittone fell apart. Joost van der Westhuizen, one of South Africa’s greatest rugby players, who is best remembered for his part in a 1995 World Cup victory immortalized in a 2009 movie, died … South African World Cup winner Joost van der Westhuizen, counted among rugby's greatest halfbacks, has died at the age of 45. Springbok legend Joost van der Westhuizen died from motor neurone disease in February, 2017, aged just 45 - leaving behind two children. The obituary was featured in Legacy on February 6, 2017. [18] Welsh club side Newport RFC had tried to sign him in 2001, but there was pressure on him to play his domestic rugby in South Africa, to be eligible for selection for the national side. Van der Westhuizen, who played 89 Tests for the Boks, passed away on Monday after being rushed to hospital in a critical condition over the weekend. Tributes began to flow as news spread … [12] In the final the Springboks faced New Zealand, who were favourites to win the tournament. I realise every day could be my last. Van der Westhuizen was a very different scrum-half from Edwards. Lomu was effectively marked and Van der Westhuizen made several tackles, including one just outside the 22m line. In 1995 he lifted the Rugby World Cup for South Africa which was the highlight of a glittering rugby career between 1993 and … Van der Westhuizen is perhaps second only to Wales’s Gareth Edwards in the pantheon of leading scrum-halves. A few months later, Dr Kelbrick, his personal doctor and a family friend, noticed his right arm weakness and arranged for tests. Van der Westhuizen became a wheelchair user and struggled with his speech; he said that his main motivation for staying alive was to see his children, Jordan and Kylie, grow up. [23] The team met the All Blacks in the quarter-finals and were beaten. Joost van der Westhuizen death was an early one, and it hit everyone who knew him hard. [39] A few months later, Dr Kelbrick, his personal doctor and a family friend, noticed his right arm weakness and arranged for tests. [35] On 1 November, coinciding with the release of his autobiography Spieëlbeeld ("Man in the mirror"), van der Westhuizen confessed to being in the controversial sex video and apologised for lying. [46], List of South Africa national rugby union players, "Ranking the 10 Best Scrum-Halves in Rugby History", "Van der Westhuizen upholds Springboks' formidable tradition", "Greatest Rugby World Cup XV: scrum-half profiles - Joost van der Westhuizen", "From the archive: Scotland stuck in a time warp", "Joost van der Westhuizen epitomises true Springbok spirit", "Joost van der Westhuizen and Jonah Lomu - friendship borne from rugby's ultimate rivalry", "Wallabies Win Tense Semifinal in Extra Time: Springboks' Cup Hold Broken by Australia", "Sport: Rugby Union. Celebrities and Notable People Who Have Had Coronavirus. Some weakness had first been noticed in his right arm near the end of 2008, but he had put this down to the aftereffects of an old rugby injury. He planned to visit the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Center in New York City, which provides support to MND patients, as Van der Westhuizen hoped to start a similar organisation in South Africa. Odendaal and at the University of Pretoria where he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Domestically he played for the provincial side the Blue Bulls from 1993 to 2003, with whom he won two domestic Currie Cup trophies in 1998 and 2002, and from 1996 until his retirement in 2003 played Super 12 rugby for Northern Transvaal (later renamed the Bulls). Former South Africa captain Joost van der Westhuizen has died aged 45, six years after he was diagnosed with the debilitating motor neurone disease. He is widely regarded by South Africans as the greatest scrumhalf of all time.[1]. At that time, Van der Westhuizen was given between two and five years to live. He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007 and later into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. Van der Westhuizen scored two tries in a virtuoso performance to help defeat Scotland at Murrayfield and he never looked back. [3] He was educated at Hoërskool F.H. [16] He captained the Bulls to the 1998 Currie Cup. Volgens doktoren had hij 80% kans om nog twee tot vijf jaar te leven en maar 20% kans dat het langer zou duren. Joost van der Westhuizen passed away on February 6, 2017 at the age of 45. Joost van der Westhuizen, who died aged 45, was regarded as the best scrum-half of the modern era and one of the greatest Springbok rugby players of all time Pieter van der Westhuizen, 51, an … Legendary Springbok scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen has died after a long battle with motor neurone disease, writes CRAIG LEWIS. [20] Injuries sustained while on international duty led to him missing the greater parts of three consecutive Super 12 seasons in 1998, 1999 and 2000. When he left, no one had won as many Springbok caps. He attended his primary school at Laerskool Derdepoort in 1977. He died six years after being I'm a firm believer that there's a bigger purpose in my life and I am very positive, very happy. Van der Westhuizen was born on 20 February 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa. A World Cup winner in … [32] Charmaine Weavers claimed to have had an affair with him in an interview with YOU magazine. Van der Westhuizen was a member of the 1995 Rugby World Cup winning South African side and was a hugely popular figure within the game. Van der Westhuizen is the second player from the 1995 World Cup-winning Bok team to pass away‚ following flank Ruben Kruger who died of brain cancer in 2010. Joost van der Westhuizen, the rugby legend who won a World Cup with South Africa in 1995, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, according to multiple news sources. I can now talk openly about the mistakes I made because I know my faith won't give up and it won't diminish. But I know that God is alive in my life and with experience you do learn. Two years later, he was diagnosed with a form of motor neurone disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and doctors said he had at best five years to live. [44][45] A public memorial service was scheduled for 10 February at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. Van der Westhuizen, who is widely regarded as … Also Read: Martin James Death | Cause of Death – Martin James Obituary “What we do in life, echoes in eternity.” Maximus. Op 4 februari werd Van der Westhuizen in kritieke toestand opgenomen in het ziekenhuis van Johannesburg, op 6 februari 2017 overleed Van der Westhuizen op 45-jarige leeftijd aan de gevolgen va… Van der Westhuizen spent his entire provincial career with South African side the Blue Bulls, from 1993 until 2003, whereupon he retired from playing rugby. [41] He regularly spent time with his children, Jordan and Kylie. He moved back to live with his estranged wife. In 2008‚ five years after retirement‚ Van der Westhuizen noticed he was losing strength in his right arm and by 2011 he was diagnosed with MND – an irreversible degeneration of the nerve cells that control muscles. From 2011 onwards, he worked with his friend, David Thorpe, for the J9 Foundation, a charity that raises awareness about the disease. The former Springbok icon was born at the heart of Pretoria in South Africa. Joost van der Westhuizen, 45, (pictured) made 89 appearances in test matches for the national team, scoring 38 tries and participated in three Rugby World Cups. South African rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen has died after a long battle against motor neurone disease. [42], On 4 February 2017 he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at the Fourways Life Hospital in Johannesburg where he was placed on a ventilator. Instead he opted to stay in South Africa with the Blue Bulls. Joost van der Westhuizen Birthday and Date of Death. [31], In February 2009, Rapport newspaper and Heat magazine reported that they had video evidence of him engaging in sex play with a mystery blonde and snorting a white substance. At the heart of the Springboks’ 15-12 victory over the side many consider to be the greatest ever New Zealand team was the scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen. He was diagnosed with motor neuron syndrome in 2011. "[37], In May 2011, van der Westhuizen's publicist confirmed that he had been diagnosed with motor neuron disease. [9] The following year he scored two tries in a memorable performance against Scotland at Murrayfield. Commenting has been disabled at this time but you can still. He died at the age of 45. He died at his home in Johannesburg surrounded by his family[43] on Monday, 6 February 2017, at the age of 45. He was 45. Van der Westhuizen, who has died of motor neurone disease aged 45, gave the pass that June day in Johannesburg for Joel Stransky to kick his winning drop-goal in extra time. Joost van der Westhuizen fires a pass during the 1995 World Cup final. [4] He played for the Junior Springboks in 1992. [17] He first captained the South Africa team in 1999. One of South Africa's greatest rugby union players, former scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen, has died at the age of 45 from the debilitating motor neurone disease. Joost was 45 years old at the time of death. [10][11], South Africa hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup. He was quick but, at 6ft 1in and over 14 stone, he was also supremely physical, in many ways a ninth forward. Same old problem for Joost", "The greatest scrum-halves: Joost van der Westhuizen", "Inductees: Joost van der Westhuizen. In May 2011, van der Westhuizen's publicist confirmed that he had been diagnosed with motor neuron disease. Joost van der Westhuizen, widely considered one of South Africa's finest rugby players, died on February 6 after a long battle with motor neurone disease. He captained the national side on ten occasions and was part of the team that won South Africa's first Tri-Nations title in 1998. [2][5] He played Super 12 for Northern Transvaal (later renamed the Bulls) from the competition's inception in 1996 until his retirement in 2003. He mostly played as a scrum-half and participated in three Rugby World Cups, most notably in the 1995 tournament, which was won by South Africa. He then lost his job as a pundit for the South African broadcaster SuperSport. [40] He set up a charitable organisation, the J9 Foundation, to raise awareness, funds and to support research. The debate continues over whether that on-the-field daring contributed to the disease with which he was diagnosed in 2011. He made his international debut against Argentina in Buenos Aires in 1993, but the following year was still struggling to establish his place in the side that would win the World Cup. Last modified on Wed 21 Feb 2018 19.18 GMT. The 1995 World Cup final was the most momentous game in the history of rugby union, the match that helped unite Nelson Mandela’s new South Africa. A panic attack was suspected. Son of Mariana and Gustav, Joost was born in Pretoria and at school in Transvaal his exceptional athletic talent was obvious. [22] His selection for the 2003 World Cup made him the first person to represent South Africa at three finals. He told reporter James Peacock,[39]. [6], He spent his entire career as a scrum-half, despite standing 6 ft 2 ins, an unusually tall height for a player in this position. But Roux missed the tour through injury and the young man grasped his chance with both hands. [2] At the end of March he lost his job as a television presenter with the South African broadcaster SuperSport. He received a standing ovation from the crowd at Ellis Park, the scene of his World Cup final triumph, when he visited in October 2014 and walked on to the pitch with the aid of a US military designed suit which transfers the weight of the body to the ground. Springbok legend Joost van der Westhuizen died from motor neurone disease in February, 2017, aged just 45 - leaving behind two children. 'Joost's family devastated' - J9 Foundation The family of Springbok legend Joost van der Westhuizen were with him when he succumbed to Motor Neuron Disease at the age of 45. Image: instagram.com, @periodismo.rugby Source: Instagram. - Advertisement - The former Springbok scrumhalf earned legendary status as a member of the Springbok side that won the 1995 Rugby World Cup, and later through the courage he showed in tackling the debilitating effects of Motor Neurone Disease. Joost van der Westhuizen, the South African Rugby World Cup winner, has died aged 45.The former scrum-half had been living with motor neurone … In March 2009 he became embroiled in a sex-tape and cocaine scandal. I've learned that there are too many things that we take for granted in life and it's only when you lose them that you realise what it is all about. Joost van der Westhuizen, rugby player, born 20 February 1971; died 6 February 2017, One of rugby’s greatest scrum-halves who played a vital role in the historic 1995 World Cup final against the All Blacks, Joost van der Westhuizen will be remembered for inspirational spirit and dignity | Robert Kitson. South Africa", "Legend Joost on mend after affairs of heart", "Joost confesses, but says 'it was the only time, "Joost van der Westhuizen: Still fighting on his deathbed", "Joost van der Westhuizen diagnosed with motor neurone disease", "Joost flies to USA for motor neurone studies", "Joost van der Westhuizen in motor neurone disease research drive", "Joost van der Westhuizen: Glory Game has a vital role to play in MND awareness", "BREAKING: Joost van der Westhuizen dies", "Joost van der Westhuizen wary on South Africa", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joost_van_der_Westhuizen&oldid=1008370551, South Africa international rugby sevens players, South Africa international rugby union players, Short description is different from Wikidata, Infobox rugby biography with deprecated parameters, Pages using infobox rugby biography with multiple nationalteam, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 22 February 2021, at 23:47. 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