Story highlights Van der Westhuizen died this weekSouth African lost long battle with ALSCreated a new model for rugby No. 9s(CNN) Joost van der Westhuizen finally lost his brave battle with a body-wasting disease, but his powerful legacy lives on in modern rugby. Wheelchair-bound and barely able to talk in his later years, the South Africa legend passed away Monday aged 45. Photos: Remembering a rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen, widely considered one of South Africa's finest rugby players, died on February 6 after a long battle with motor neurone disease. At the time of his retirement, van der Westhuizen was the most-capped player in Springboks history.

Source: CNN February 07, 2017 18:33 UTC