A player regarded as the greatest scrum-half of his generation and who famously brought down Jonah Lomu in the World Cup final, Van der Westhuizen, 42, is confined to a wheelchair after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
In an interview with BBC Sport, in which his speech is slurred, he said: “I realise every day could be my last.
“This has been a rollercoaster from day one. And I know I’m on a deathbed from now on. I’ve had my highs and I have had my lows, but no more.
“I’m a firm believer that there’s a bigger purpose in my life and I am very positive, very happy.â€
A winner of 89 Test caps, he was diagnosed in 2011 with the disease and was given two to five years to live. He now helps run a charity called J9 Foundation, which raises awareness about motor neurone.
South Africa legend Joost van der Westhuizen on his "deathbed"
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