Amor Vittone says her ex-husband Joost van der Westhuizen is “flying with the angels without pain” following the death of the Springbok legend yesterday afternoon.
The Springbok hero and the Afrikaans popstar married in 2002, and had two children – son Jordan, 13, and daughter Kylie, 10.
But a sex video scandal involving Joost in 2009, led to their separation in 2010.
In the same year, the former Bok captain, 45, was diagnosed with a debilitating form of motor neuron disease (MND), called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and he was given two to five years to live.
The couple stopped divorce proceedings, but lived separately, with their kids staying with Amor.
The world renowned scrumhalf was eventually confined to a wheelchair and succumbed to MND yesterday afternoon after being admitted to a Johannesburg hospital on Saturday.
Amor took to Facebook to express her feelings following her estranged husband’s passing.
“It is with a sore and heavy heart that we said goodbye to Joost an hour ago. We are surrounded by family and lots of love.
“Joost, rest in peace and know that Jordan and Kylie will keep you close in their hearts.
“You are flying with the angels without pain. You were and are my first love. We love you!”