Thursday 3 August 2017 14:23, UK
The rugby community was in mourning on Monday following the news that Joost van der Westhuizen passed away.
The former South Africa captain died at the age of 45 after a battle with motor neurone disease.
A World Cup winner in 1995, the former scrum-half had been living with the disease since 2011.
He was admitted to a Johannesburg hospital on Saturday morning and statements from his J9 Foundation on Saturday evening reported that he was "critical but stable" in an intensive care unit.
However, a statement from J9 on Monday morning confirmed he had passed away, saying: "It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Joost. He passed away in his home surrounded by his loved ones. He will be sorely missed."
Eddie Jones (England coach)
He was a great player, led South Africa to that memorable World Cup win back in 1995. He was a great ball runner, had a great pass and a great kicking game. He was a really aggressive defender and a real leader of the team. He was not always the captain of the side but he led the team well and is certainly a great loss for his family and South Africa rugby.
He was a good looking boy, has a bit of charisma about him and was certainly very popular in South Africa.
Will Greenwood (England, 55 caps)
He was an incredible man and a total warrior for the Blue Bulls and the Springboks.
It is very difficult to dominate a World Cup final and in 1995 at Ellis Park we all remember Nelson Mandela with the No 6 Springbok jersey on.
The team South Africa beat that day was the All Blacks who had this man mountain called Jonah Lomu who had scored four tires against England the week before.
Van der Westhuizen put on one of the bravest defensive displays you are ever likely to see on a rugby field. He hunted Lomu for 80 minutes and then for the extra time - he gave him no space and he tackled him with every part of his body.
I had the misfortune of playing against him in the quarter-finals in the 1999 World Cup - that will be remembered for Janie de Beer's five drop-goals - but my overriding memory is the try he scored.
They shifted the ball wide and there would have been me, De Glanville and Matt Perry sweeping across to meet Joost van der Westhuizen in the bottom left corner.
There was no way he could score that try - there were four or five of us ready to take him into touch. I remember hitting him and it was like hitting an oak tree. I pinged off him and there he was scoring in the corner. He was lethal around the fringes.
He has done everything he can with his J9 foundation to raise awareness of the terrible disease that has finally put paid to a wonderful life.
Thinus Delport (South Africa, 18 caps)
It is an incredibly sad day and he will leave a big gap in our hearts. Ever since he was diagnosed we knew this day would come but we will celebrate his life and his fighting spirit. Joost was the biggest competitor on the field and he translated that off the field too as he battled the few years he was given back in 2011.
Joost became a hero on mine back in 1995 and I then went on to play against him in my early career. I also was lucky enough to play with him for South Africa where we became room-mates and friends.
A lot of people will remember him for what he did on the pitch but his charity J9 was superb in raising awareness and funds of motor neurone disease and will keep on fighting in true Joost spirit.
Dewi Morris (England, 26 caps)
Devastating news and the rugby world will mourn the loss of one of the greats. I remember I went to interview him and it was one of the toughest things I have ever had to do. I remember him as such a competitor, this fierce warrior who always gave 100 per cent and was desperate to win. I saw a lot of that in his battle against motor neuron disease.
I first played against him in 1994 when we went over for a two-match series - we won the first Test and they came back and beat us in the second. He came on and played on the wing. He went on to become one of the best No 9s in the world. He had plenty of pace, great skills and an eye for the gap.
Mike Brown (England, 56 caps)
He was one of the players I admired growing up. I enjoyed watching all sorts of players in different positions and he was an unbelievable scrum-half. He really changed the role - he used to get into rucks, was always sniping and had great strength.
He was an amazing player and role model. It's a very sad day for the rugby family and rugby world.
