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Joost quashes 'death' rumours

Cape Town - Joost van der Westhuizen is alive and kicking.

The former Springbok hero, who is suffering from the degenerative disorder motor neuron disease (MND), has taken to Twitter to assure fans that he is still alive.

The rumours of his death started when a BBM message claiming that Joost had died at 17:45 on Tuesday night was circulated.

YOU magazine reports that soon after, their Facebook page was flooded with messages of concern for the ill rugby star.

Joost's J9 foundation, which offers support to other MND sufferers, denied rumours that Joost had passed away. "Confirming that the BBM message about Joost is false. He is at home enjoying a relaxed evening," they wrote on their Facebook page.

Joost later tweeted (as @9Joost): "Ek is 100% fine. Daar is niks fout nie. Het 'n awesome dag agter die rug. Lekker aand v almal!!" (I am 100% fine. There is nothing wrong. I had an awesome day today. Goodnight everyone!)

And later:

YOU magazine also assured fans that Joost was fine after speaking to him on Wednesday morning.

Concerns for Joost's health escalated this week after he appeared on M-Net's Carte Blanche on Sunday night, looking weakened and having difficulty speaking, while giving an inside look into his daily battles with his fatal illness.

Watch Joost's interview with Derek Watts on Carte Blanche here.


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