Share

Bok hero Joost placed on oxygen to survive

Cape Town - Legendary former Springbok scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen, who suffers from motor neuron disease, has been placed on oxygen to survive.

Joost’s brother, Pieter, told Huisgenoot on Friday that the 45-year-old former Blue Bull has been on oxygen “for a while”.

At first they tried to keep it quiet for the sake of his two children, Jordan (12) and Kylie (10), but understand that the public is concerned for Joost's well-being.

“It’s incredibly tough. He’s not doing well, but he keeps on fighting,” Pieter said on Friday.

Earlier in the week, the TimesLIVE website reported that the Department of Health had joined forces with Van der Westhuizen in launching a motor neuron disease clinic at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu was to officially open the Joost van der Westhuizen Centre for Neurodegeneration at the hospital this week, but the opening of the centre was postponed.

Van der Westhuizen, who has been ill since 2011, played 89 Tests for the Springboks between 1993 and 2003.

He scored a then-Springbok record 38 tries and is widely regarded as one of the game’s finest-ever scrumhalves.

Joost and his children Jordan and Kylie (Amor Vittone Facebook)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1147 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1328 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2030 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE