Former Springbok captain Joost van der Westhuizen has died.
The legendary World Cup winner passed away on Monday.
He had been battling motor neuron disease since 2011 at the age of 40 and was confined to wheelchair, as a result of it.
He held on with the unwavering determination he showed on the field while playing for the Springboks, the Bulls and his beloved Blue Bulls.
Throughout his debilitating illness, which left him confined to a wheelchair and using a computer to communicate, Van der Westhuizen raised awareness about the disease and formed the charitable J9 Foundation to support his efforts.
Van der Westhuizen represented his country 89 times during a decade-long career starting in 1993.
Born and raised in Pretoria, he was part of the South African team that emerged victorious from the 1995 Rugby World Cup victory in front of former president Nelson Mandela.
A respected leader, he went on to captain South Africa at the 1999 World Cup and was the most-capped player in Springbok history by the time of his international retirement in 2003.
Story courtesy of Northern Natal Courier
