Joost van der Westhuizen - update

[scuff]

westhizeun the brillant world cup winning 95 scrum off is battling motor neureone disease. sounds in a very bad way hope he can pull through.

[MJ Chairman]

How sad to hear a great scrum half.

We seem to be losing too many great sportsmen at the moment.

[Tigerbeat]

Thoughts are with him and his family.

[Bill W (2)]

Very sad news.

All best wishes to him and his family.

[Tooting Tiger]

Terrible news. Regrettably it's not a disease one can pull through. All the best to him and his family during what can only be a heartbreaking time.

[WiggoTiger]

Having a muscle disease myself I undestand what he is going through, hope he pulls through! He should have the mental strength to get through the tough times.

[tonbridgetiger]

I echo the sentiments on here about Joost. It is devastating to hear of someone afflicted by that terrible disease, especially at his age. I hope that Joost can come through this.

I guess it might be possible to send a message of support through the SA Rugby Union site?

[Bill W (2)]

I guess it might be possible to send a message of support through the SA Rugby Union site?

The club is still in contact with Joel Stransky? Joost's best mate. Perhaps a message could be passed on through him.

[CJ]

how very, very sad. all best wishes to him and his family.

[Tigerbeat]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugb ... 484562.stm

Former South Africa captain Joost van der Westhuizen has been diagnosed with a form of motor neurone disease.

The 40-year-old made his name as one of the world's best scrum-halves during an 89-Test career which saw him secure a World Cup winner's medal in 1995.

He is also his country's joint-record try scorer - with 38 - alongside current Springboks wing Bryan Habana.

His publicist Bridget van Oerle said Van der Westhuizen has a "serious muscle-related neural disease".

She added: "Joost's doctor, who is also a close family friend, noticed that he was having problems with his right arm and ran a series of tests.

"He has also consulted two neurologists and has begun immediate treatment.

"The symptoms are serious and vary from person to person. The media is requested to respect his privacy at this time."

Van der Westhuizen also captained his country at the 1999 World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals, and played his final Test in the quarter-final loss to New Zealand at the 2003 tournament.

He has endured some difficult times during the last few years.

In 2009 he was admitted to hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack after watching a Test between South Africa and the British and Irish Lions, while his marriage came to an end in 2010.

His former South Africa team-mate Andre Venter has also suffered with a form of motor neurone disease and now uses a wheelchair.

[tonbridgetiger]

Bill W wrote:

The club is still in contact with Joel Stransky? Joost's best mate. Perhaps a message could be passed on through him

I have sent a message to the club, Bill, asking them to pass on support to Joost through Joel Stransky.

[Bill W (2)]

I have sent a message to the club, Bill, asking them to pass on support to Joost through Joel Stransky.

Good, Good.

I am sure Wheelbrace is still in touch with Joel. And I know from conversations with Joel that he was close with Joost.

[Purebob]

Awful :(

I am glad only that Joost and Venter achieved huge physical heights in their time, knowing the experience of being elite athletes. Most of us never realize what we could achieve before we lose it in such tragic ways.

[Will S]

Hugely admired him as a player and I still think he is one of the best scrum halves ever to have graced the game.

[Littletigress]

What sad news.