"It is a very emotional and trying time for both my wife and I, and our wish is that everything will now just die down," legendary former Springbok and Blue Bulls scrumhalf and captain Joost van der Westhuizen said on Friday night.
He confirmed in an interview that he and his wife Marlene were in the process of getting divorced.
Van der Westhuizen expressed sadness at the fact that the matrimonial difficulties he and Marlene were facing had become public knowledge.
They have been married for six years and do not have any children.
Van der Westhuizen said the fact that he was compelled to spend long periods away from home had probably contributed towards their drifting apart.
"Although, having said that, that is part of my job, so I cannot really complain."
He said they were still living in the same house. Asked if there was any chance of reconciliation, Van der Westhuizen said: "Anything is possible."
On reports that he and TV presenter Amore Vittone - of Road2Riches fame - might be having a relationship, the ex-Springbok captain just laughed: "I regard that as a moerse (big) joke."
They were merely acquaintances who occasionally bumped into each other on the celebrity circuit.
Van der Westhuizen was the first Springbok to play for his country more than 100 times and he holds the South African record for scoring the most tries in Tests.
He has known Marlene, who is a fitness instructor, since their school days in Pretoria. - Own Correspondent