RIP Joost van der Westhuizen

[Pints]

Passed away today after a long battle with motor neuron disease. Only 45 years old.

89 Caps for the Springboks and one of the finest scrumhalves to ever play the game.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/breaking-joost-van-...

Edited by Pints on Monday 6th February 13:09

[hornetrider]

I did read over the weekend he was in critical condition. Just awful what happened to him, a true legend of the game.

RIP

[Cheib]

Possibly the stand out scrum half of the last twenty years...if not he was certainly top 3 IMHO.

[Pints]

Cheib said:

Possibly the stand out scrum half of the last twenty years...if not he was certainly top 3 IMHO.

George Gregan was good but Joost was brilliant at distributing the ball. Certainly felt like he was changing the way the position was played when he took the field.

[olimain]

He was a real talent and my favourite 9 to play the game. A tragic loss - far too young.

[magooagain]

Poor chap. Great player and World Cup winner. RIp Joost.

[gareth h]

A very moving tribute by Matt Dawson on the BBC website

[Pints]

Will be donning the green & gold rugby jersey on Friday in memory of him, rather than the white of England which I would have been wearing.

[shaunsmith]

A class man in every way. Forever a legend. RIP.

[Pints]

Moving scenes at the memorial service.

[tight5]

gareth h said:

A very moving tribute by Matt Dawson on the BBC website

Yeah, RIP.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38884906

[jesta1865]

very sad was a great player, having lost a friend to mnd, it would have been especially cruel to such an athlete.