Joost van der Westhuizen wins court bid to get money back

Judge Lester Adams ruled that the Attorney's Fidelity Fund should pay back the R385 000 which was paid into the trust account of his former attorney Robert Klinkenberg.

His attorney, Ferdie Hartzenberg, said the 45 year-old Van der Westhuizen needs the money to continue with his battle against motor neuron disease.

"They should reimburse him the full amount that was paid into the trust account of Klinkenberg Attorneys," he said.

Hartzenberg said Van der Westhuizen is pleased with the ruling.

"I've just spoken to Mr Van der Westhuizen and he's glad that the application is over and we are relieved that we have been successful with the application," he said.

Hartzenberg said he will now get in touch with the attorneys for the Fidelity Fund and arrange for the payment to be made to Van der Westhuizen as soon as possible.

"The law society is still busy with the investigation into what happened [with Klinkenberg] and it's a huge investigation. They are very far from finalising it," he said.

Klinkenberg, who was Van der Westhuizen's former business partner and lawyer, allegedly embezzled money from the rugby legend.

Klinkenberg died in December 2015.