JOOST VAN DER WESTHUIZEN would haji prayerin mekah al mukaromah ????

JOOST VAN DER WESTHUIZEN

would haji prayerin mekah al mukaromah ????

Joost van der Westhuizen (20 February 1971 – 6 February 2017) was a South African rugby union player who made 89 appearances in test matches for the national team, scoring 38 tries. He mostly played as a scrum-half and took part in three Rugby World Cups, most notably as a member of the South African rugby team that won the 1995 World Cup. He captained the national side on ten occasions and was part of the team that took South Africa's first Tri-Nations title in 1998. He played for Provincial State side the Blue Bulls 1993– 2003, including two domestic Currie Cup trophies in 1998 and 2002.

He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007 and later to the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

In 2011, van der Westhuizen announced that he had motor neurone disease (MND), also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He became confined to a wheelchair and experienced speech problems, yet still raised awareness of issues relating to MND through his charity, the J9 Foundation.

FAIRFAX NZ

Joost van der Westhuizen clears the ball from the base of the scrum in a match in Invercargill, back when the rugby great still played.

It wasn't unexpected given his long battle and increasingly fragile state but the rugby world still reacted with shock and sympathy for a player regarded as one of the greatest halfbacks to grace the field.

READ MORE:
* Springbok legend dies
* Former Springbok halfback Joost van der Westhuizen fighting for his life in hospital
* Former Springboks captain has motor-neuron disease

National unions and former stars were quick to express their feelings to the hall of famer.

Van der westhuizen enjoyed a massive rivalry with New Zealand, playing for the Springboks as the game went professional in the wake of their 1995 World Cup triumph.

Carter's coveted career crossed briefly with van der Westhuizen's, meeting at the 2003 World Cup where the All Blacks won their quarter-final clash.

Carter said the Boks legend was "one of the few non All Black players I adored" and described his death as "such sad news".

He was one of the few non All Black players I adored. Such sad news! #RIPJoost pic.twitter.com/blr14PBBC0

— Dan Carter (@DanCarter) February 6, 2017

Fellow former All Black Ali Williams labelled the Bok "a true great".

Joost Van Der Westhuizen A true great of our game. #RIP https://t.co/Tg9dH28JGi

— Ali Williams (@AliWilliams_) February 6, 2017

Ad FeedbaSean Fitzpatrick, the legendary All Blacks captain in charge during the fateful 1995 World Cup final, acknowledged van der Westhuizen's contribution to rugby and standing in the game.

Another true legend gone too soon. It was an honour to have shared many special moments on the field. RIP our friend. https://t.co/34M3m6hrwS

— Sean Fitzpatrick (@SFitzpatrick92) February 6, 2017

Blues coach and former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga, who played seven times against the Springboks legend throughout his illustrious career, recalled van der Westhuizen as a forerunner of the new type of No 9 in the game then.

"He was just a competitor, a modern day halfback. He was one of the bigger halfbacks in his day and I just remember some of the tough tests he played and how he was constantly yapping at his team, but also the other team, and that competitive nature that was inherent in all the great halfbacks," Umaga said.

"He was such an integral part of any team he was part of. There was him, and then the likes of Justin Marshall who came round as a similar physical-type halfback. As things go the modern halfback changes and we've gone smaller and a lot nippier and quicker. But for that time and what everyone was looking for, he was at the forefront of that.

"He was definitely someone you had to plan for, he was that good. He made teams much better and much more dangerous when he was around."

Umaga met with van der Westhuizen early on in his long battle with his illness, and admired all he did through that difficult period.

"Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, and the tough times they've had recently and for a pretty long period. We were all conscious and knowledgeable about his plight. It's just another sad day for rugby worldwide."

Teams around the world quickly responded to the death, with the All Blacks honouring Van der Westhuizen on social media.

"The All Blacks extend their sympathies to the family of Joost van der Westhuizen. A true Springboks great. You will be missed."

Fans around the world reacted with sadness as well.

Many shared posts on social media, with hashtags like #Joost, to offer sympathy to Van der Westhuizen's friends and family, and grieve for his death.