ANC pays tribute to Joost

Van der Westhuizen died at his house in Midrand, surrounded by family and friends, according to the J9 Foundation.

"It is with deep sadness that the ANC has learnt of the passing of Joost van der Westhuizen today after a long illness," the ANC says.

The ANC had lauded former Springbok Joost van der Westhuizen, following his death on Monday. 

Van der Westhuizen died at his house in Midrand, surrounded by family and friends, according to the J9 Foundation.

"It is with deep sadness that the ANC has learnt of the passing of Joost van der Westhuizen today after a long illness," the ANC says.

The party says it remembers Joost as being an integral part of the team that gave South Africa one of its most iconic moments in sporting history the 1995 Rugby World Cup  a sporting event of huge political significance for South Africa.

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"It was at this Rugby World Cup that South Africa's first democratically elected President Cde Nelson Mandela wore the Springbok jersey and lifted the trophy, a powerful moment that signified our commitment to social cohesion and nation building,' the statment read.

In 2012, Joost van der Westhuizen was honored with a Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement Award and to date, he still holds the record of being the scrumhalf with the most tries scored in Test rugby.

"We thank Joost, his family and his foundation for his immense contribution to nation building both through his sporting excellence and his charity work. Our deepest condolences go to the van der Westhuizen family, Joost's friends, and the sporting fraternity at large," the statement reads.