World Rugby hails 'fearless' Joost

Cape Town - World Rugby has paid tribute to Joost van der Westhuizen after the former Springbok scrumhalf passed away on Monday.

The 45-year-old former Springbok captain lost his battle to motor neuron disease, having first been diagnosed with the illness in 2011.

The rugby governing body paid its respects to Van der Westhuizen on Twitter, saying he was "fearless on the pitch and off it".

Fearless on the pitch and off it. RIP Joost#joostvanderwesthuizen #RIPJoost pic.twitter.com/o2ke7gc0BC

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) February 6, 2017

Van der Westhuizen was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2015.

The world of #rugby mourns the passing of @Springboks great and #RugbyHoF inductee no. 119 Joost van der Westhuizen. https://t.co/LbjHLYBRSK pic.twitter.com/mOgqcGayHx

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) February 6, 2017

A video was also shared of the try Van der Westhuizen scored against England in the 1999 World Cup quarter-final clash in Paris - a game the Boks won 44-21.

Van der Westhuizen's try came just before the half-time break and gave South Africa a 16-12 advantage.

Van der Westhuizen's halfback partner, Jannie de Beer, then stole the show with five drop goals in the second half to end England's World Cup campaign.

A moment to remember from #joostvanderwesthuizen from Rugby World Cup 1999, #RIPJoostpic.twitter.com/euQauZ2Pu0

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) February 6, 2017