JOHANNESBURG, May 12 (Reuters) - Former South Africa scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen has been diagnosed with a motor-neuron muscle disease, it was announced on Thursday.
Van der Westhuizen, 40, won the last of his 89 caps in 2003 and scored 38 tries during his international career.
He was part of the Springboks' World Cup-winning team in 1995 and captained his country at the 1999 World Cup.
"Joost van der Westhuizen has been diagnosed with a serious muscle related neural disease," Van der Westhuizen's publicist Bridget van Oerle said in a statement.
"Van der Westhuizen's doctor...noticed that Joost was having problems with his right arm and ran a series of tests.
"Van der Westhuizen also consulted two neurologists and has begun immediate treatment. The symptoms are serious and vary from person to person," Van Oerle added.
"The press is requested to respect his privacy at this time and note that neither he nor his family will be available for interviews," she concluded.
South African website Supersport (www.supersport.com) reported that Van der Westhuizen's diagnosis is regarded as being "very serious and could have drastic implications for his health".
Van der Westhuizen, 40, won the last of his 89 caps in 2003 and scored 38 tries during his international career.
He was part of the Springboks' World Cup-winning team in 1995 and captained his country at the 1999 World Cup.
"Joost van der Westhuizen has been diagnosed with a serious muscle related neural disease," Van der Westhuizen's publicist Bridget van Oerle said in a statement.
"Van der Westhuizen's doctor...noticed that Joost was having problems with his right arm and ran a series of tests.
"Van der Westhuizen also consulted two neurologists and has begun immediate treatment. The symptoms are serious and vary from person to person," Van Oerle added.
"The press is requested to respect his privacy at this time and note that neither he nor his family will be available for interviews," she concluded.
South African website Supersport (www.supersport.com) reported that Van der Westhuizen's diagnosis is regarded as being "very serious and could have drastic implications for his health".
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