JOHANNESBURG – Springbok rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen has taken to Twitter to dispel reports that he has been placed on oxygen to survive.
It was reported by YOU magazine on Friday that Van der Westhuizen, who is fighting motor neurone disease, had been put on oxygen for some time, but the family had opted to keep the news quiet for the sake of his children, Jordan (12) and Kylie (10), whom he had with singer and presenter Amor Vittone.
But the 89-Test former scrumhalf tweeted later on Friday: “Thank you everyone for caring. I just want to make something clear. I’m NOT placed on oxygen. I’m fine and still going strong!!!”
The 45-year-old Van der Westhuizen is also a former Springbok captain and was a key figure in the 1995 Rugby World Cup victory. He retired in 2003 and was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2011.