Joost van der Westhuizen loses battle with Motor Neuron Disease (MND)

[Jaguares]

This is very sad, he was one of the best players at his position. I played scrum-half when he was one of the best players around the world in that position, I'm very sad...

 

[Thingimubob]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23699697 - Beeb article about him.

Very sad to hear. Was always a big fan of his when I was growing up, such a terrible disease to be diagnosed with

 

[Rich Taff]

Agree with all the sentiments above. Was a scrum-half ahead of his time, with his speed combined with size and skill.

Such a horrible thing to see when someone goes downhill so quickly, no matter who they are.

As for his ex........well I don't think she deserves to be mentioned in the same sentence as Joost.

 

[SelimNiai]

He means a lot to not just fans

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/9Joost">@9Joost</a> mate your my hero, the reason why I played 9 !</p>&mdash; mike phillips (@mikephillips009) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikephillips009/statuses/370254735372460032">August 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[munstermuffin]

Must say despite being diagnosed he has done super work in raising awareness and keeping in good spirits.

 

[psychic duck]

Another video update on Joost, still fighting MND. http://carteblanche.dstv.com/player/617534/

 

[munstermuffin]

Another video update on Joost, still fighting MND. http://carteblanche.dstv.com/player/617534/

He's a tough nut. We had a rememberance for Paul Darbyshire at start do season and it really brought back how awful this illness is and how hard it is for sufferers and their families.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Another video update on Joost, still fighting MND. http://carteblanche.dstv.com/player/617534/

It was very hard to watch how his speech has deteriorated to such an extent that you can barely make out what he's saying.

I have since made a dedication to the cause, as you will see from my avatar.

 

[nzlizard]

Man really sad.

Didn't realize it had hit hims so hard in terms of his speech, you can tell hes a tough ******* by making it 4 years, when they only gave him a 20% chance of getting 2 more years.

Always rated him as one of the best half backs in the modern game.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Man really sad.

Didn't realize it had hit hims so hard in terms of his speech, you can tell hes a tough ******* by making it 4 years, when they only gave him a 20% chance of getting 2 more years.

Always rated him as one of the best half backs in the modern game.

He did the ALS ice bucket challenge too!! Sorry that the video is in Afrikaans:



And then he challenged the Springboks, Wallabies and All Blacks to do it too

 

[MauriSca7]

He was one of my favourite players from '90s,it's so destroying to see him in this condition

 

[nzlizard]

And then he challenged the Springboks, Wallabies and All Blacks to do it too

I certainly hope they all find a chance to do it, simply as a mark of respect for a great player.

 

[TRF_heineken]

I certainly hope they all find a chance to do it, simply as a mark of respect for a great player.

Yup, well the Springboks and Wallabies have already done it:

Springboks: http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/details/springboks-accept-joosts-ice-bucket-challenge

Wallabies: http://citizen.co.za/233249/wallabies-accept-joosts-ice-bucket-challenge-video/

And here's the All Blacks response: http://www.allblacks.com/Video/Viewer/20862/all-blacks-skipper-responds-to-ice-bucket-challenge

 

[TRF_heineken]

Joost walking onto the Field with his Children during this past weekend's big match between the Boks and the AB's during half time.

 

[goodNumber10]

that was incredible

 

[TRF_heineken]

Former Springbok and WP player, Tinus Linee, has passed away this morning after his long battle with the same disease as Joost.

There were many benefits and charity events where both these former Springboks and their foundations were honoured.

 

[munstermuffin]

Joost van der Westhuizen's battle with Motor Neuron Disease (MND)

Former Springbok and WP player, Tinus Linee, has passed away this morning after his long battle with the same disease as Joost.

There were many benefits and charity events where both these former Springboks and their foundations were honoured.

May he Rest In Peace. Prayers to his close ones.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Linee always got less exposure than Joost and though you can understand why it really is terrible that he didn't get as much attention what with struggling more. He is in a better place now and I hope that brings comfort to his loved ones.

 

[Peat]

Hope his family are well and strong at this time, and remember him with joy. RIP.

 

[SimonG]

Gosh he went quick. RIP.

Been keeping track of Joost since he got his diagnosis and remember this fella meeting Joost just after he too was diagnosed (last year I think)...and he was standing looking healthy while Joost was in his wheelchair and barely able to move. Quite shocking that it was him that would go first.