Joost van der Westhuizen

Prior to the kick off to the South Africa v All Blacks Test Match Joost van der Westhuizen was given a Lap of Honour in the back of a car to a standing ovation shots of the crowd showed a lot of emotion and I didnt understand why. A bit of google/wikipedia research showed that;

Joost van der Westhuizen has been diagnosed with a Motor Neurone Disease ALS which is also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. He has been given 2-5 years to live.

Its sad that such a great player of our game has been cut down with such a debilitating illness.

For those that are interested there is a Facebook supporters page for him. It can be found here.

I agree Ex. He was a great player in his day. It's tragic to see him like this.

I think he's had some tough family issues too - a nasty divorce and a battle for access to his kids.

As you say, very sad indeed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Exile

Its sad that such a great player of our game has been cut down with such a debilitating illness.

---

I'd say it's sad for anyone to be cut down with such an illness

I know exactly what those closest to Joost would be experiencing right now and my deepest sympathies to Joost and his nearest and dearest.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hansie

I know exactly what those closest to Joost would be experiencing right now and my deepest sympathies to Joost and his nearest and dearest.

---

Agreed. Devastating news for him and his family. Nothing worse than not being able to do anything to help :(
Posted via Mobile Device

Thats terrible news.

Thanks for all those moments of class rugby Joost, Best wishes for you and your loved ones.

Very sad, he was a legend in South African rugby... He will be remembered as a springbok great...!! Hope he can Make the most of what he has left...!!!

i watched a recent interview of his and it was really sad to see the state he is in already, a shadow of himiself and barely able to talk... not long now i think. :(

All they said on the broadcast of the game was "he was suffering form a disease"...How terribly sad.. :( Good luck and best wishes to him and his family..

A new interview with Joost van der Westhuizen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2AnSVu1onI

That is so very sad, and yet so very heartening at the same time. What a fighter. He will always be my favourite No.9. All the best to you Joost.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alison

That is so very sad, and yet so very heartening at the same time. What a fighter. He will always be my favourite No.9. All the best to you Joost.

---

Good summary.

One of the greats. One of the greatest 9's that ever played. Very hard to believe such a terrible illness could affect such a tough competitor and magnificent athlete. It is harrowing to think how precious life is and how quickly it passes us by.

The Joost

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4EQaOdoaUY

Nice post Rex. Had the pleasure of hosting him on SA matches in Perth. Truely the nicest guy. Me thinks one auctioneer scored a pair of his boots after a Subiaco Captain's run.

Very sad to hear. It can strike anyone

Did anyone hear on the commentary that Schalk Burger had an infection after an operation and died, then was resuscitated. Back playing 9 months later

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by eleypinkbit

Very sad to hear. It can strike anyone

Did anyone hear on the commentary that Schalk Burger had an infection after an operation and died, then was resuscitated. Back playing 9 months later

---

Schalk had an ongoing calf muscle problem after his knee injury. An MRI showed up a cyst on his spinal column, and he decided to have it drained, in early 2013 he developed an infection which was later identified as bacterial meningitis. He spent a over a month in hospital and was just about "written off", once or twice. He plays it down, but the fact that he is out there at all is a miracle