Dubai: Former Australia rugby captain George Gregan has paid tribute to ex-South Africa scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen, who described himself as being on his “deathbed” this week in an interview with the BBC.
Van der Westhuizen, 42, who was in his country’s 1995 World Cup-winning team, is fighting a losing battle with motor neurone disease, a fatal condition which shuts down a sufferer’s neurological system, destroying cells that control muscles used for speech, swallowing, walking and breathing. He was given an 80 per cent chance of living for another two to five years following his diagnosis in 2011.
The disease claims two lives among every 100,000 people each year.
Van der Westhuizen told the BBC this week: “I realise every day could be my last. It’s been a rollercoaster from day one and I know I’m on a deathbed from now on. I’ve had my highs and I have had my lows, but no more. I’m a firm believer that there’s a bigger purpose in my life and I am very positive, very happy.”
Speaking to Gulf News, Gregan, currently in Dubai as a pundit for OSN’s television coverage of the Rugby Championship, said: “He will always be remembered as an incredible rugby player. But that’s just one part of his life. This aspect of his life has been really inspiring.
“It’s been tough on his family but the support that he’s had from the rugby community is a huge tribute to Joost.
“Myself and [former New Zealand scrum-half] Justin Marshall went to a fundraiser a couple of years ago and it was really sad to see his physical state but it was really inspiring to see him raising awareness and funds for more research into the disease.
“It was a humbling couple of days for myself and Justin and we were really proud of him too. He was over the moon that we went to South Africa to support him but it was the least we could do.”
Speaking candidly about his life this week, father-of-two Van der Westhuizen, said the disease has helped him become a better person.
In 2008, he suffered a suspected heart attack and was at the centre of a sex tape and cocaine scandal, which led to the break-up of his marriage to singer Amor Vittone. He also lost his job as a TV expert.
In his interview with the BBC, the South Africa legend said: “What I did went against all my principles — my life was controlled by my mind and I had to make my mistakes to realise what life is all about. I led my life at a hundred miles an hour. I’ve learned that there are too many things that we take for granted and it’s only when you lose them that you realise what it is all about.”
Speaking to Gulf News shortly after his diagnosis while he was in Dubai as an expert for OSN during the 2011 IRB World Cup, Van der Westhuizen said: “Am I bitter? No. Why would I be bitter? This is life. I’ve got the opportunity to fix my life 110 per cent before I go — if I have to go through this to save future generations, then why not?”
