Joost van der Westhuizen was feeling much better, his J9 Foundation said on Sunday night.
And his former Springbok and Bulls teammate Derick Hougaard says “never write Joost off” after visiting his ex-captain in hospital.
The former Springbok captain was said to still be in ICU in a “critical but stable condition” early in the day after being admitted to a Johannesburg hospital on Saturday morning.
The 45-year-old scrumhalf great has been battling Motor Neurone Disease (MND) since 2011, but his condition has deteriorated in the last 12 months.
However, after false rumours of his passing circulated on social media on Saturday afternoon – which the J9 Foundation soon dismissed – family and supporters of Van der Westhuizen would’ve happy to hear the latest update on Sunday night.
“Joost has been much better today. However, he is tired and been resting this afternoon. Thank you for the continued support for him and his family,” the J9 Foundation posted on Facebook.
Van der Westhuizen has been using an oxygen tank on occasion in recent months to help with his breathing.
His former flyhalf Hougaard, though, took to Facebook on Sunday night to express his admiration for Van der Westhuizen after spending time at his bedside.
“Joost was a mentor before I even had the guts to call him a friend. And even now I sit with the regrets that I did not make more time to spend precious minutes in his presence. To Pieter (Joost’s brother), you and the family, thanks for letting me sit next to the bed of a legend. And that I did not feel that I was in the way,” Hougaard posted.
“A man’s biggest fear is to have no one at the side of his bed in the hospital. But being there, I did not just feel sad, but I learned a lot. A thing I got accustomed to when I spend time with the Van der Westhuizen family. And that with Joost’s close friends also.
“Joost is not alone. There is more love and people next to his bed than at certain rugby matches. Not even to talk about the love and prayers from all over the word. And then, literally the whole of South Africa.
“Joost’s fight that he is fighting every day is unknown even in the circles of doctors. It has always been like this and it continues. Never write Joost off. Because he will define the odds and he will win. And he is already a champion and the winner again.
“His kids can be so proud to call him dad. The one thing they have learned from the man that to so many, he is Superman, including myself. Is to never give up.
“Joost is a rugby legend. An icon of the modern-day game. But his biggest victory came after he stopped playing the game he loved so much. He touched so many people’s hearts and made a true difference in people’s lives.
“And became an inspiration to the world, if you like rugby or not. He is more than a legend. He is a freak of nature. Joost, the whole of South Africa is praying for you. We won’t stop. What you have sacrificed for the joy of others can’t be measured. And for that we will stand by your side. ALWAYS!”
Van der Westhuizen retired from the game in 2003 following his third Rugby World Cup campaign, having been part of the winning Bok team on home soil in 1995 and captaining the side to third place four years later.
He played in 89 Test matches and scored a then South African record 38 tries.