He’s got guts, say his rugby mates
AILING former Springbok captain Joost van der Westhuizen’s World Cupwinning teammates hailed the scrumhalf for the courageous manner in which he has fought motor neuron disease.
Van der Westhuizen, who earlier this week revealed that he was on his deathbed, has been battling the disease for the past two years.
His former teammates have been involved in fundraising to broaden awareness of the disease.
Joel Stransky, Van der Westhuizen’s halfback partner during the 1995 Rugby World Cup, was devastated by news that the former Bok skipper’s condition had deteriorated.
“I spoke to him three, four weeks ago and he said he was trying out this new drug and that it seemed to be helping. He was speaking a bit better and was showing a couple of good signs,” said Stransky.
“The players have rallied around him to try to raise money, but it’s not so much the issue of money. It’s really more about the courage of Joost.
“When you spend time with him, you see how debilitating his condition is and you see the courage he has shown, as weak as he is. Sometimes he is unable to walk into the crowds.
“He is difficult to understand, but for him to show the courage to address a room full of people has been absolutely incredible. He is an amazing bloke.”
Stransky said Van der Westhuizen would not be alive today had he not shown the fighting spirit that made him such a formidable opponent.
Former inside centre Hennie le Roux does not see Van der Westhuizen often, but he has observed a deterioration in his condition. “There was a clear indication at the last golf day, because he had to be helped just to sit with us.
“It’s extremely sad. It’s something that you wouldn’t wish upon anyone. It’s hard to accept that someone so full of life has gone backwards so quickly. It’s not nice to see. One can only pray and hope that he keeps his strength and that somehow a cure can be found. It’s nice to see he’s spending time with his family.
“You get the sense that he has accepted his position. He remains a fighter,” he said.
He has accepted his position. He remains a fighter
Kobus Wiese, a former burly lock and now a businessman of expanding dimensions, got involved in a fundraising drive.
“This is a sad story. We had a fundraising breakfast at one of our shops in Cape Town for Joost and Tinus [Linee, who has been afflicted with a similar condition]. We raised between R18 000 and R20 000, but that was just one of several events.
“I spoke to Francois [Pienaar] and Andre Markgraaff about arranging a black-tie dinner. Unfortunately, those things take a month or three to put together and unfortunately it looks like we’re running out of time.”
Van der Westhuizen’s former Bulls and Bok teammate, lock Krynauw Otto, underlined the scrumhalf’s standing in the game. “Rugby was a big part of his life. Rugby was his family. He was synonymous with the sport, more so than the other things that you read about in his life. I just know him as the Bulls No 9.”