FORMER SPRINGBOKS CAPTAIN Joost van der Westhuizen has been taken to hospital and is said to be in a critical condition, according to a statement on his J9 Foundation social media pages.
The World Cup winner has been battling motor neurone disease (MND) since his diagnosis in 2011.
Van der Westhuizen established the J9 Foundation to provide care and support for those who have been affected by MND.
“The family and friends of Joost ask that you all pray for Joost. He was taken to hospital earlier today and is in a critical condition.
“We ask that you all please respect the families time at the moment.
“When we have updates we will let you know for now we ask that we all bow our heads in prayer.”
Joost van der Westhuizen in action for South Africa. PA Archive / PA Images
PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images
During a distinguished rugby career, the 45-year-old helped his country to win the World Cup in 1995 where they defeated New Zealand in the final.
He played in three World Cups in all and is regarded as one of the best scrum-halves in rugby history, collecting 89 caps for the Springboks between 1993 and 2003.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
South Africa legend Joost van der Westhuizen 'in critical condition' in hospital
FORMER SPRINGBOKS CAPTAIN Joost van der Westhuizen has been taken to hospital and is said to be in a critical condition, according to a statement on his J9 Foundation social media pages.
The World Cup winner has been battling motor neurone disease (MND) since his diagnosis in 2011.
Van der Westhuizen established the J9 Foundation to provide care and support for those who have been affected by MND.
A statement on its Facebook page reads:
“The family and friends of Joost ask that you all pray for Joost. He was taken to hospital earlier today and is in a critical condition.
“We ask that you all please respect the families time at the moment.
“When we have updates we will let you know for now we ask that we all bow our heads in prayer.”
During a distinguished rugby career, the 45-year-old helped his country to win the World Cup in 1995 where they defeated New Zealand in the final.
He played in three World Cups in all and is regarded as one of the best scrum-halves in rugby history, collecting 89 caps for the Springboks between 1993 and 2003.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
LIVE: Scotland v Ireland, 6 Nations
Grand Slam winners? A last-day decider? Where punters are putting their Six Nations money
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Joost van der Westhuizen South Africa Springboks