The Legend Of A Warrior
People Magazine South Africa|February 17, 2017

AN extraordinary life filled with the achievements, the mistakes, the regrets, the trials and the tributes that come with being human. We pay tribute to one of SA’s most revered sportsmen.

Vanessa Papas
The Legend Of A Warrior

THE world watched as the man who changed the face of rugby grew weaker by the day, ravaged by a fatal disease that left his brain untouched but his body broken. news of Joost van der Westhuizen’s death has left a void in the hearts of many South Africans who prayed for his recovery following his admission to the ICU of a Joburg hospital recently. He was placed on life support after his key organs began to fail late on Friday, February 3. Sadly, Joost lost his battle on Monday afternoon, leaving behind amor Vittone and their two children, son Jordan, 13, and daughter Kylie, 10, as well as his parents, Mariana and Gustav. He was two weeks shy of 46 years old. For the past six years Joost’s greatest battle hasn’t been on the rugby field. In 2011, the Bok scrum-half was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND). The news came as a shock to his family, friends and fans. It infiltrated every corner of the world. Joost was in the prime of his life; fighting-fit at the time. He himself couldn’t believe that the disease would one day cause muscle weakness and paralysis to the point where he would no longer be able to use his strong body with which he had scored a then-Springbok record of 38 tries and made him known as one of the game’s finest-ever scrumhalves. He would lose the ability to move his body. He wouldn’t be able to speak or communicate with anything other than his eyes. He would become reliant on a feeding tube for nutrition. He would ultimately go into respiratory failure. And even more tragically, he would die before seeing his two children grow up. 

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PEOPLE MAGAZINE SOUTH AFRICAView all
A Glimpse Into A Prince's Charming World
People Magazine South Africa

A Glimpse Into A Prince's Charming World

What's home life like now for the future king?

time-read
2 mins  |
February 7, 2020
People Magazine South Africa

Can Your Relationship Survive Addiction?

Loving someone with an addiction can be incredibly tough.

time-read
5 mins  |
February 7, 2020
DRINKING YOURSELF TO Death
People Magazine South Africa

DRINKING YOURSELF TO Death

“FIRST you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

time-read
9 mins  |
February 7, 2020
Vote Team Meghan & Harry
People Magazine South Africa

Vote Team Meghan & Harry

LIFE is a royal mess as Meghan and Harry call it quits on the crown.

time-read
5 mins  |
February 7, 2020
With A Kiss...
People Magazine South Africa

With A Kiss...

TWENTY years of Oscar night shocks, triumphs and embarrassing moments!

time-read
5 mins  |
February 7, 2020
People Magazine South Africa

One's Horrific Enough – She's Surviving Five!

She thought she had flu; it turned out to be so much worse.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 24, 2020
Housebound By 20 Litres Of Fat!
People Magazine South Africa

Housebound By 20 Litres Of Fat!

A MOM is pleading for strangers to fund ife-changing surgery.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 24, 2020
People Magazine South Africa

Geordie Shore's Scotty T Still Bankrupt!

Former Geordie Shore star Scotty T had been enjoying the lifestyle of the rich and famous a little too much and is still officially bankrupt, having been declared such nearly a year ago after reportedly owing creditors over R2.9-million.

time-read
5 mins  |
January 24, 2020
Royal Secrets Revealed
People Magazine South Africa

Royal Secrets Revealed

Details the family doesn’t want you to know...

time-read
4 mins  |
January 24, 2020
People Magazine South Africa

The Price Of Pet Insurance

We all love spoiling our pets but some of us have more money to burn on our fluff bums than others.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 24, 2020