Joost Van der Westhuizen dies aged 45

gifted

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2017/0204/850140-springbok-great-van-der-westhuizen/

Don't know if that link works but really sad to see a great player/man end up like this. Hope he not suffering.

ScrubsfanChris

Unfortunate auto correct error

Article is about Joost van der Westhuizen

gifted

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Unfortunate auto correct error

Article is about Joost van der Westhuizen

Saw that but didn't know how to fix it...

Losty Dublin

Only a week ago I had heard word on the radio that he was actually improving a little. This is not good news at all and I hope that this is a temporary setback for one of the greatest players of the professional era.

Peregrine

gifted wrote: »

Saw that but didn't know how to fix it...

Advanced edit on your first post will give you the option.

spud82

Hi all.

Sad news from SA today.

Joost is critically ill at the moment, he was rushed to hospital this morning.

He was a phenomenal scrumhalf, and inspired so many of us.

In 2011 he was diagnosed with MND, and fought so hard ever since.

A hero

On the day that the 6Nations opens, can we all keep him in our thoughts

thebaz

brilliant number 9 - puts rugby and other things in real perspective

swiwi_

RIP apparently.

One of the true greats.

Feel genuinely sad.

Cookiemunster

It breaking news in SA. http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/breaking-joost-van-der-westhuizen-dies-20170206

RIP. Happy to be able say I got to see him play for the Boks at the 2003 RWC. One of the greatest.

thebaz

greatest 9 I ever saw - so young - R.I.P.

sydthebeat

RIP Joost

one of the best

maybe a change of thread title?

Moflojo

Best scrumhalf I've seen in my lifetime. He's up there with Jonah Lomu as an icon of the early professional era. May he rest in peace.

CMOTDibbler

Unbelievably tragic news. Such a great player and incredibly fast.

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

ClanofLams

The complete 9. Had it all. His tackle on lomu in the 1995 wc final was a defining moment of that tournament and will be replayed for a long long time to come.

padd b1975

RIP.

Totally reinvented the role of scrum half, both in terms of on field play and the physical attributes required for the role.

kuang1

RIP Joost.

Lomu went to visit him during a documentary he made a few years back in SA. Very enjoyable watch.
They're both gone now.

Sad stuff.

Neil3030

Very sad news indeed, RIP.

razorblunt

RIP.

He battled that disease with such courage and dignity.

endabob1

A terrific player, the kind you hated because he played for another team but always secretly wished he was on your side.
RIP Joost, an absolute legend for the Bokke

NIMAN

rip. scary that I am older than him.
Makes you think, wishes to his family.

phog

Terribly sad news, he fought a good battle. Terrific player.

RIP

corny

Neil3030 wrote: »

Is that really appropriate or necessary?

Is it inappropriate?

CMOTDibbler

corny wrote: »

Is it inappropriate?

It's a bit ott. People would be wondering if he didn't tweet and tweeting doesn't automatically exclude any other form of paying your respects and passing on your condolences.

And this is a thread marking the great man's passing. It's not really the place or time to be having a go at people.

bilston

38 tries in 83 tests for a scrum half is pretty incredible.

He was one of my favourite players growing up in the 90s.

Very sad news for his family and the game in general

Losty Dublin

After a savage battle with Motor Nerone Disease he deserves his reward more than most.

T-Maxx

One of the best.

Life isn't fair.

Grid.

Awful news....gone waaaaay too soon, what a super player he was. R.I.P:(

swiwi_

Neil3030 wrote: »

Is that really appropriate or necessary?

Probably not so I'll delete the post.

Neil3030

swiwi_ wrote: »

Probably not so I'll delete the post.

I shall do likewise.

coco0981

So sad. Himself and Pienaar were the 2 standouts on that 95 team. Such a physical presence at no9

Stheno

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

Unbelievably tragic news. Such a great player and incredibly fast.

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

Lovely tribute.

May he RIP, so young.

nacho libre

As Ben Kay said, rarely does a man get to be a hero twice in his life. Some might say it's exaggeration, but the fact is he was a great inspiration to many people in and outside of rugby.

RIP

nagdefy

nacho libre wrote: »

As Ben Kay said, rarely does a man get to be a hero twice in his life. Some might say it's exaggeration, but the fact is he was a great inspiration to many people in and outside of rugby.

RIP

Best scrum half i've seen. I don't remember Gareth Edwards, saw his highlights and he looked majestic too.

RIP J. Van Der Westhuizen

nagdefy

This is quite moving but brilliant. Jonah meets Joost for the last time in 2015, in South Africa.