South Africa scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen: 'I had a choice to live or die'

Описание: Springbok legend Joost van der Westhuizen describes his mission to raise awareness of motor neurone disease, the vicious, debilitating condition that has left his mind “a prisoner” of his body

Joost van der Westhuizen is one of the greatest rugby players ever, renowned for his powerful tackles and for being the most capped South African of all time.

He and his beautiful pop-star wife were dubbed the Posh and Becks of the southern hemisphere, a glamorous couple who - with their two young children - for many years epitomised the best of his sport and their country.

At the age of 40, he was told he was suffering from motor neurone disease, which has left him “a prisoner” in his body.

"I had a choice. Either I stay at home and die or I live my life,” he told the Telegraph, through his brother Peter.

“I have a platform and now I’m using it to help with MND.

“They [the doctors] are going to tell them they have two to five years [to live] – and that’s -------- You live as long as you want, as long as you are positive. They told me 24 months. I’m now on 50.”

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