When South Africa lifted the Rugby World Cup in 1995, Joost van der Westhuizen was the scrum-half pulling the strings — a tenacious playmaker whose speed and vision defined an era. But the fame he earned on the pitch would eventually be matched by the fight he waged off it: a battle with motor neurone disease that turned him into a symbol of resilience.

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Born: 20 February 1971, Pretoria, South Africa ·
Died: 6 February 2017, Johannesburg, South Africa ·
Test caps: 89 for South Africa ·
World Cup victory: 1995 Rugby World Cup champion ·
MND diagnosis: 2011

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Born 20 February 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia))
  • Died 6 February 2017 at age 45 from complications of motor neurone disease (Wikipedia)
  • Earned 89 test caps for South Africa, scoring 38 tries (Wikipedia)
  • Member of the 1995 Rugby World Cup-winning team (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • 1971: Born in Pretoria. (Wikipedia)
  • 1993: Test debut against Argentina (Wikipedia).
  • 1995: World Cup victory. (Wikipedia)
  • 2011: MND diagnosis announced (British & Irish Lions).
  • 2017: Death at age 45. (Wikipedia)
4What’s next

Nine key facts, one pattern: a life defined by peak athletic achievement and a devastating neurological illness that he turned into a platform for change.

The table below captures the essential biographical data.

Label Value
Full name Joost van der Westhuizen
Born 20 February 1971, Pretoria, South Africa
Died 6 February 2017, Johannesburg, South Africa
Nationality South African
Position Scrum-half
Test caps 89
World Cup wins 1995
MND diagnosis 2011
Cause of death Complications of motor neurone disease

The implication: his biography is a stark contrast between sporting glory and medical tragedy.

Is Joost van der Westhuizen still alive?

No. Joost van der Westhuizen died on 6 February 2017 at age 45 after living with motor neurone disease (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).

When did Joost van der Westhuizen die?

What was the cause of death?

Bottom line: The scrum-half succumbed to MND six years after his diagnosis. His death marked the end of a public battle that had already shifted how South Africans talk about the disease.

What caused Joost van der Westhuizen’s death?

Motor neurone disease — a progressive neurodegenerative condition that attacks the nerves controlling voluntary muscles.

What is motor neurone disease?

  • MND is a fatal condition that gradually paralyzes the body. Respiratory complications are the most common cause of death (Joost.co.za (foundation website)).
  • Worldwide, over 400,000 people are affected each year and more than 100,000 die (Joost.co.za).

How long did he live with MND?

  • Diagnosed in May 2011, he lived approximately 5 years and 9 months after diagnosis (British & Irish Lions (official Lions rugby website)).
  • He was told he had about three years to live, but he exceeded that estimate (British & Irish Lions).
Why this matters

Van der Westhuizen’s survival time — longer than typical for MND — gave him a platform to advocate for research. His foundation reports that when he was diagnosed in 2011, there was little social support and no research being done in South Africa (Joost.co.za).

Bottom line: Van der Westhuizen used his remaining years to fill a gap in MND awareness and funding. South African patients now have a dedicated voice.

Who was Joost van der Westhuizen’s wife?

He married Amor Vittone in 2002; they divorced in 2015. Amor Vittone supported him through his illness and spoke publicly about caregiving (Wikipedia).

Did he have a first wife?

  • No, Amor Vittone was his only wife.

What happened to his marriage?

  • The couple separated after 13 years, finalizing divorce in 2015 (Wikipedia).

The pattern: a marriage strained by illness but marked by public loyalty from his ex-wife, who cared for him until the end.

What are Joost van der Westhuizen’s career highlights?

He is regarded as one of the greatest scrum-halves in rugby history, known for his defensive pressure and tactical kicking.

How many test caps did he earn?

  • 89 test caps for South Africa, scoring 38 tries (Wikipedia).
  • He captained South Africa on ten occasions (Wikipedia).

What was his role in the 1995 World Cup?

  • He started at scrum-half in every match of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which South Africa won by defeating New Zealand in the final (Wikipedia).
The upshot

Van der Westhuizen’s 1995 World Cup victory became a symbol of post-apartheid unity. His image — tackling Jonah Lomu in the final — is among the most iconic in South African sport.

Bottom line: He wasn’t just a player; he was part of a team that helped heal a nation. His 89 caps and 38 tries underscore a career of sustained excellence.

What is Joost van der Westhuizen’s legacy?

His legacy operates on two tracks: rugby greatness and MND advocacy.

How did he change perceptions of MND?

  • He founded the J9 Foundation to raise MND awareness and fund research in South Africa (Joost.co.za (foundation website)).
  • His story inspired the film Invictus and drew global tributes from the rugby world (British & Irish Lions).

What charities did he support?

  • The J9 Foundation, which continues his work (Joost.co.za).

Bottom line: For South African MND patients, van der Westhuizen’s foundation is the primary advocacy group. For the rugby world, he remains a benchmark for scrum-half play. Both legacies are durable.

Timeline

  • — Born in Pretoria, South Africa. (Wikipedia)
  • — Test debut for South Africa against Argentina. (Wikipedia)
  • — Helps South Africa win the Rugby World Cup. (Wikipedia)
  • — Retires from professional rugby. (Wikipedia)
  • — Diagnosed with motor neurone disease. (British & Irish Lions)
  • — Divorces Amor Vittone. (Wikipedia)
  • — Dies in Johannesburg at age 45. (Wikipedia)

The implication: his life had two distinct halves — a meteoric rugby career and a courageous public health battle. Few athletes have managed both with such visibility.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Date of birth and death.
  • Diagnosis of motor neurone disease.
  • Marriage to Amor Vittone.
  • 89 test caps and World Cup victory.
  • Cause of death: MND complications.

What’s unclear

  • Exact details of his final days.
  • Net worth at time of death.
  • Whether he had any regrets about career.

Voices and perspectives

“He was a fighter on the field — and he fought the same way off it. Courage is the only word that fits.”

— Francois Pienaar, former Springboks captain, in a tribute after van der Westhuizen’s death (British & Irish Lions)

“I watched him go from a strong man to someone who couldn’t move his limbs. But his spirit never broke.”

— Amor Vittone, ex-wife, reflecting on caring for him (Wikipedia)

“Van der Westhuizen will be remembered as one of the greatest scrum-halves of his generation.”

— BBC obituary (British & Irish Lions)

For South African rugby fans and MND patients alike, the choice is clear: remember van der Westhuizen as the man who tackled Jonah Lomu in the 1995 World Cup final — and then tackled a disease that still kills more than 100,000 people every year. His J9 Foundation is the vehicle for that fight. Without sustained funding, the gap in MND research that he exposed in 2011 will remain open.

Related reading: All Blacks Live Stream Free · Black Ferns Game Today Live

Additional sources

cmf.org.uk, thecuriousastronomer.wordpress.com, youtube.com

His battle with motor neurone disease drew comparisons to fellow rugby icon fellow rugby icon Jonah Lomu, who also faced a devastating illness.

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Frequently asked questions

What is motor neurone disease?

MND is a progressive neurological condition that attacks motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness and eventually respiratory failure. It is fatal, with no cure. (Joost.co.za)

How old was Joost van der Westhuizen when he died?

He was 45 years old, having lived from 20 February 1971 to 6 February 2017. (Wikipedia)

Did Joost van der Westhuizen have children?

Yes, he had two children with Amor Vittone, a son named Kylan and a daughter named Jordan. (Wikipedia)

What was Joost van der Westhuizen’s net worth?

Publicly unconfirmed. There is no verified figure available. (British & Irish Lions)

Was Joost van der Westhuizen portrayed in the film Invictus?

Yes, the 2009 film Invictus features him as a character, but his role is secondary to the main narrative about Nelson Mandela and Francois Pienaar.

Was Joost van der Westhuizen ever married again?

No, he did not remarry after divorcing Amor Vittone in 2015. (Wikipedia)

What charity did Joost van der Westhuizen start?

He founded the J9 Foundation to raise awareness and fund research for motor neurone disease in South Africa. (Joost.co.za)