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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.
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
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.
I know exactly what those closest to Joost would be experiencing right now and my deepest sympathies to Joost and his nearest and dearest.
Thats terrible news.
Thanks for all those moments of class rugby Joost, Best wishes for you and your loved ones.
The long sobs of autumn's violins wound my heart with a monotonous languor
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
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
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.
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.
Controversy corner
The Joost
Controversy corner
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.