Well-wishes stream in for Joost
Updated | By Latashia Naidoo
As Springbok legend, Joost van der Westhuizen, continues to fight for his life in a Johannesburg hospital - fans have taken to social media to send him their love and prayers.
The 45-year-old South African rugby great was admitted to hospital on Saturday morning - after his heath deteriorated rapidly.
Van der Westhuizen has been battling motor neuron disease since 2011 - a terminal condition which leads to muscle weakness, and visible physical wasting.
ALSO READ: Joost van der Westhuisen still critical but stable
Following his admission, van der Westhuizen's foundation - the J9 Foundation - posted this update:
President Jacob Zuma has also sent his wishes to the former rugby star.
In a message issued by the Presidency, Zuma said: “Mr Van der Westhuizen is one of the best rugby players that the country has ever produced. We are saddened by his ill health. We urge the nation to keep him and his family in their thoughts and prayers as he continues to fight this challenging illness."
President Jacob Zuma wishes former Springbok rugby player, Mr Joost van der Westhuizen well. https://t.co/rqmmfpW84Z
— PresidencyZA (@PresidencyZA) February 6, 2017
Meanwhile, social media users have taken to Twitter and Facebook to share their love for the sports hero:
#joostvanderwesthuizen rest up, mate. get better soon!
— his mariusness (@mariusgr) February 6, 2017
#joostvanderwesthuizen...keeping you in our prayers Joost you have been so strong....may God keep your kids strong at this time... pic.twitter.com/bit07NyDMT
— Maria Kekana (@MariaKgKekana) February 5, 2017
#joostvanderwesthuizen WHAT A MAN👏..
— The🌎 IsMine💋 (@mamaka_onika) February 5, 2017
WHAT A FIGHTER👊
STAY STRONG ✊✊💗
Wishing #joostvanderwesthuizen a speedy recovery.
— YoungNDriven (@IMatjila) February 6, 2017
Wishing my rugby idol well.hang in there champ #Joostvanderwesthuizen #Legend #9 pic.twitter.com/oPM0zNykoH
— Gavin van den Berg (@g_vdberg) February 5, 2017
Thinking of #JoostvanderWesthuizen. Such a wonderful @Springboks player and ambassador. Rest up buddy! #Rugby #RugbyLegend
— DCK (@davidcknight) February 5, 2017
Praying for #joostvanderwesthuizen The best scrum half I've ever seen
— Peter Warne (@PeterWarne29) February 5, 2017
Go Joost. We love you. You fighter, you hero. #joostvanderwesthuizen @9Joost
— tryasta (@tryasta) February 5, 2017
Thinking of #joostvanderwesthuizen and his family. Hang in there @9Joost and keep fighting. A true warrior on and off the field
— Alex (@alex_m_adams89) February 5, 2017
In his heyday, van der Westhuizen played 89 Tests for the Springboks - between 1993 and 2003. He remains widely regarded as one of the game’s finest-ever scrumhalves.
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