South Africa rallies round unwell Van der Westhuizen

The news that former South Africa captain Joost van der Westhuizen is suffering from a form of motor neurone disease was described yesterday as "distressing in the extreme" by his country's rugby union president.

Oregan Hoskins, of the South African Rugby Union (SARU), offered the sport's "support and prayers" to Van der Westhuizen, a day after the 1995 World Cup winner's publicist said he was being treated for the disease.

Reports said Van der Westhuizen was in a hospital in Johannesburg, where he was undergoing further tests. There was widespread media coverage of Van der Westhuizen's illness in his homeland, where the 40-year-old former scrum-half is still considered one of the country's greatest ever players despite a string of personal scandals that led to the much-publicised disintegration of his marriage.

"The thoughts and prayers of SARU, the Springboks and the South African rugby community are with Joost and those nearest and dearest to him at this challenging time," Hoskins said. "He was an outstanding Springbok and is a legend of our game – he will always have a place of honour in the history of Springbok rugby.

"He gave his all on the field for the teams he represented and – at his prime – was the best scrum-half in world rugby. His current health problems are the cruellest twist of fate for one who was so athletic in his prime."

Van der Westhuizen played 89 tests for South Africa from 1993 to 2003 and still shares the Springboks' try-scoring record in tests (38) with current wing Bryan Habana. He is the fourth most capped player for South Africa. On Thursday, publicist Bridget van Oerle said Van der Westhuizen had initially been diagnosed with a "serious muscle-related neural disease" by his doctor after having trouble with his right arm. No exact name or details of the condition were given.

"Van der Westhuizen also consulted two neurologists," Van Oerle said, "and has begun immediate treatment. The symptoms are serious and vary from person to person."

Van Oerle's statement also requested privacy for Van der Westhuizen and his family after his personal life was subjected to intimate scrutiny in recent years. In 2009, he was taken to hospital with what was announced as a suspected heart attack – that proved later to be incorrect. He divorced from his wife, a local singer and actress, in 2010 after allegations of drug-taking and infidelity which were splashed across the media.

His feats on the pitch are still respected by many rugby fans, however. Van der Westhuizen emerged as one of the world's best scrum-halves when South Africa won the World Cup on home soil in 1995.

During his 10-year career, in which he appeared at three World Cups, he gained fame for his sniping runs and try-scoring abilities. But he also earned a reputation as a ferocious defender and – above everything – a player with an unflinching will to win.