SOUTH AFRICA legend Joost van der Westhuizen has tragically died at the age of 45.
The World Cup-winning scrum half had motor neurone disease since 2011 and was admitted to a Johannesburg hospital on Saturday morning.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest scrum halfs ever, Van der Westhuizen won 89 caps for the Springboks between 1993 and 2003.
The pinnacle of his career came in 1995 when he helped his country to a World Cup win before captaining South Africa for the 1999 World Cup.
South Africa rugby president, Mark Alexander, said of the news: "Joost will be remembered as one of the greatest Springboks – not only of his generation, but of all time.
“As a player, he lifted the Rugby World Cup, Tri-Nations and Currie Cup while establishing himself as one of the best scrumhalves world rugby has ever seen. He was the record holder for the most Test tries for the Springboks for more than 13 years and finished his international career with 38 Test tries.
"He also became an inspiration and hero to many fellow sufferers of this terrible disease as well as to those unaffected.
WHAT IS MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE?
Motor neurone disease is a rare condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system.
It occurs when specialist nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, called motor neurones, stop working properly.
This is known as neurodegeneration.
Motor neurones control important muscle activity, such as:
- gripping
- walking
- speaking
- swallowing
- breathing
As the condition progresses, people with motor neurone disease will find some or all of these activities increasingly difficult.
Symptoms: The symptoms begin gradually over weeks and months. Common early symptoms are:
- a weakened grip, which can cause difficulty picking up or holding objects
- weakness at the shoulder that makes lifting the arm difficult
- a "foot drop" caused by weak ankle muscles
- dragging of the leg
- slurred speech
Treatment: There is currently no cure for the disease.
However aids like breathing masks and feeding tubes can be used to help make a person feel more comfortable and compensate for the loss of bodily functions such as mobility, swallowing and breathing.
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"We all marvelled at his bravery, his fortitude and his uncomplaining acceptance of this terrible burden."
Van der Westhuizen had problems with his breathing in recent months which forced him to use an oxygen tank.
He will go down as a national hero and icon with 38 tries over a 10-year span for South Africa.
Van der Westhuizen was also nominated for the prestigious SA Rugby Player of the Year Award six times during his career.
And the rugby world have been paying their respects through social media.
Brian O'Driscoll tweeted: "RIP Joost van der Westhuizen. An incredible player and fighter to the end. The first of the new age 9's."
England rugby wrote to their Twitter page: "Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Joost van der Westhuizen, who has sadly passed away at the age of 45."
He leaves behind two children, his parents and his two brothers.
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