News that former Springboks captain Joost van der Westhuizen has a serious motor-neuron muscle disease was “distressing in the extreme,” South African Rugby Union (SARU) president Oregan Hoskins said on Friday.
In a statement, Hoskins offered rugby’s “support and prayers” to Van der Westhuizen, a day after the 1995 World Cup winner’s publicist said he was being treated for the disease.
Reports on Friday said Van der Westhuizen was in a hospital in Johannesburg, where he was undergoing further tests.
There was widespread media coverage of Van der Westhuizen’s illness in South Africa, with the 40-year-old former scrumhalf still considered one of the country’s greatest ever players despite a string of personal scandals that led to the much-publicized disintegration of his marriage.
“The thoughts and prayers of SARU, the Springboks and the South African rugby community are with Joost and those nearest and dearest to him at this challenging time,” Hoskins said. “He was an outstanding Springbok and is a legend of our game — he will always have a place of honor in the history of Springbok rugby.”
Van der Westhuizen played 89 tests for South Africa from 1993 to 2003 and still shares the Springboks’ try-scoring record in tests (38) with current wing Bryan Habana. He is the fourth most capped player ever for South Africa.
On Thursday, publicist Bridget van Oerle said Van der Westhuizen had initially been diagnosed with a “serious muscle-related neural disease” by his doctor after having trouble with his right arm. No exact name or details of the condition were given.
“Van der Westhuizen also consulted two neurologists and has begun immediate treatment. The symptoms are serious and vary from person to person,” Van Oerle said.
Van Oerle’s statement also requested privacy for Van der Westhuizen and his family after his personal life was subjected to intimate scrutiny in recent years.
In 2009, he was taken to hospital with what was announced as a suspected heart attack — that proved later to be incorrect. He divorced from his wife, a local singer and actress, last year after allegations of drug-taking and infidelity which were splashed across South Africa’s showbiz media.
However, his feats on the pitch are still respected by many rugby fans.
During his 10-year career, in which he appeared at three World Cups, he gained fame for his sniping runs and tryscoring abilities.
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