What was said on Twitter after the Springbok legend passed away on Monday.

JOEL STRANSKY
@stranners
Great memories with our dear friend and team mate, laughing eyes even in the face of adversity! #RIPJoost we miss you already.

JAMES SMALL
@JamesTerenceSm1
#RIPJoost  what an amazing life my brother!! Your kids can be so very proud!! U were a footprint.. not a foot note… RIP cuz

NAAS BOTHA
@NaasBotha10
@9Joost one of the best players in the world! It was a privilege to see him in action! Sterkte aan familie in die moeilike tyd! RIP #Legend

BAKKIES BOTHA
@BakkiesBotha4
R. I. P. JOOST  NOW YOU ARE PAIN FREE. PEACE LEGEND.

TRIBUTE: Joost provided off-field inspiration

JONNY WILKINSON
‏@JonnyWilkinson
Joost Van Der Westhuizen. A guy I feared as an opponent, respected hugely as a player and will miss deeply as a very courageous human being.

DAN CARTER
@DanCarter
He was one of the few non All Black players I adored. Such sad news! #RIPJoost

PIRI WEEPU
@piriweepu
Such sad news hearing that this legend has passed. He fought a tough courageous fight against his illness. #RILJoost #ARugbyLegend

RICHARD WIGGLESWORTH
@rwiggy9
Sad day, a hero of every scrum half growing up. Lucky enough to have met him, warrior on and off the field. #RIPJoost

BREYTON PAULSE
@BreytonPaulse
Was a pleasure sharing a dressing room with you,A warrior in every sense of the word,legend of the game,God Bless your fam,rus sag ou grote

PIERRE SPIES
@Pierrespies8
Joost, you finished strong & kept fighting! Bigger impact after rugby in so many people’s lives! #RIP

JOHN MCFARLAND
@Johnmcf07798458
So sad to hear of Joost passing a real fighter and inspiration on and off the field RIP Thoughts and prayers with his family

TRIBUTE: Joost set the bar high

PIERRE SPIES
@Pierrespies8
One of my childhood heroes! Joost finished STRONG- made a bigger impact in people’s lives after rugby fighting for his health!

WILL GREENWOOD
@WillGreenwood
Rugby has lost a true warrior today –  #joostvanderwesthuizen – 1995 World Cup Final – Titanic Individual Performance. Rest in Peace.

LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO
@dallaglio8
A true great has gone today but will never be forgotten. #RIPJoost

KEVIN PIETERSEN
@KP24
I’m absolutely gutted! One of my heroes growing up! #RIPJoost

FRANKIE HORNE
@FrankieHorne
Rugby in Heaven just got way tougher… Rest in Peace Legend. #rip #AnotherLegendGotTheCallUp #Joost

VIDEO: Joost’s textbook tackle on Lomu

SP MARAIS
@SPMarais
RIP to a Legend!Thank you for all the fondest rugby memories. You will never be forgotten. People come and go but Legends live forever!

AUSTIN HEALY
@IamAustinHealy
Sad day #RIPJoost

JIMMY GOPPERTH
@jimmygopps
What a legend!! The rugby world has lost a true Champion!! #RIPJoost

NICK FENTON-WELLS
@Nick_FW7
RIP Joost van der Westhuizen. Childhood hero. Fought a tough battle right to the end! #RIPJoost #BokLegend

SERGIO PARISSE
@sergioparisse
Non dimenticherò mai le tue partite… what a legend! #RIPJoost

VIDEO: Jonah Lomu visits Joost

ASHLEY JOHNSON
@ashj1605
RIP Joost @9Joost Thoughts and prayers with his family and friends. True inspiration to all rugby players! #J9foundation

DANNY CARE
@dannycare
Extremely sad news to hear the passing of a Rugby legend @9Joost we had the honour of meeting him a few years back. RIP mate

AB DE VILLIERS
@ABdeVilliers
You will be missed! #RIPJoost

NIGEL OWENS
@Nigelrefowens
Never had the privilege of refereeing or meeting one of rugby’s greats. Very sad to hear of a legend taken so young. Deepest sympathy

FRANCOIS HOUGAARD
@Francoishougi
Sad day for SA rugby. You will forever be a legend. RIP @9Joost

VIDEO: Joost on winning 1995 World Cup and his battle with MND

JP PIETERSEN
@jppietersen14
#RIPJoost. Condolences and prayers to the Van der Westhuizen family and his friends. #legend #rugbyfamily

ROB LOUW
@roblouw6
Probably one of the greatest Boks ever and a close friend has lost his battle, rip my Buddy.

ANTONIE CLAASSEN
@AntonieClaassen
RIP #Joost! My hero as a boy growing up, wanting to be just like him! Sad day for world rugby! @9Joost @TheJ9Foundation

TONDERAI CHAVHANGA
@tchavhanga
Sad day for SA as we mourn the loss of Springbok icon, Joost. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends #j9foundation #RIPJoost

BEN RYAN
@benjaminryan
Heart breaking to hear that Joost has passed away. A warrior and a gentleman. Let us not forget his spirit and his life. Vei Lomani xx

VIDEO: Joost in action for Springboks

ALEX GOODE
@Alex_goode0
Very sad to hear @9Joost has passed away. A huge competitor and player. A hero to so many across the world. #RIPJoost

JACQUES KALLIS
@jacqueskallis75
RIP Joost. Thoughts and prayers with  his family and friends.

ALLAN DONALD
@AllanDonald
RIP Joost you will always be in our hearts forever. Condolences to the Van Der westhuizen family and friends during this time of grief

MATT DAWSON
@matt9dawson
A great friend has left us with an incredible legacy in rugby. Joost inspired on and off the field. Rest easy blue eyes…. #j9foundation

DAVE MCDULING
@davemcduling
RIP Joost…one of the all time great players but will be remembered more for his courage and humility in his final years #legend

BRAD BARRITT
@bradbarritt
RIP Joost @9Joost. What a man, kept fighting right to the end! An inspiration to all rugby players from all countries!

CORNE KRIGE
@CorneKrige6
So sad to hear the news of Joost vd Westhuisen. Rest in peace brother you battled hard.

ALEX CORBISIERO
@AlexCorbs
#RIPJoost

BANDISE MAKU
@BandiseMaku
Sad day as we mourn the loss of Springbok and Bulls icon, Joost. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends #RIPJoost

SCOTT QUINNELL
@ScottQuinnell
Thoughts and love with the family of Joost. Great man. #RIP.

MAXINE MEDARD
@MaxMedard
Une légende #Springboks. #rip #joostvanderwesthuizen

JONATHAN KAPLAN
@RefJK
Nothing more I can say that hasn’t been said .. A great Bok on the field and a legend during his greatest fight ! RIP champ ! #Joost

THANDO MANANA
@TandoManana
Rest in Peace Joost Heystek Van der Westhuizen. Springbok No 593:Played 89 Test, Total Bok Matches; 111. Test debut vs Arg 1993, Tries-39.

RYK NEETHLING
@RykNeethling
Rus en vrede Joost. Hartseer.

CAREL DU PREEZ
@CarelPreez
Salute to a legend! Rus in vrede ou grote.

FIKILE MBALULA
@MbalulaFikile
South Africa is poorer without Joost van der Westhiuzen, a giant & warrior of SA rugby. I send my sincere condolences to his family.

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL
@BrianODriscoll
RIP Joost van der Westhuizen. An incredible player and fighter to the end. The first of the new age 9’s.

WARRICK GELANT
@WarrickGelant
Rip to a legend of the game. You are in a better place now. #J9 #RIP #BetterPlace

HERSCHELLE GIBBS
@hershybru
What a man what a player @9Joost !!! Boks best no9 and one of the all time greats to play the game. rip legend,we had some awesome time.

TOKS VAN DER LINDE
@toksvdl
RIP LEGEND YOU WILL BE MISSED BUD #the best nr 9

LUCAS RADEBE
@LucasRadebe
Sad news abt the passing of former springbok Joost Van Der Westhuizen @Springboks

CLIVE WOODWARD
@CliveWoodward
Very very sad to hear this, he was the ultimate player and competitor , thoughts with his family and @sarugby

MIKE TINDALL
@miketindall13
Sorry to read about the passing of @9joost. Incredible player and true gent. #RIPJoost

STEFAN TERBLANCHE
@StefanT15
Could never quite keep up with this legend on the field….RIP brother!

ERNIE ELS
@TheBig_Easy
Very sad to hear of the passing of one of our greats. #joostvanderwesthuizen you faught a great fight.

JESSE KRIEL
@JesseKriel15
RIP @9Joost #truelegend

RUAN COMBRINCK
@R_Combrinck15
RIP Joost

GRAEME SMITH
@GraemeSmith49
#RIPJoost my thoughts go out to his family, friends and the many people whose lives he impacted.

PIERS MORGAN
@piersmorgan
RIP Joost van der Westhuizen, 45. One of the greatest players to ever grace the game of rugby & a  courageous hero off the field too.

SHANE WARNE
@ShaneWarne
He was an amazing man. I had the great privilege & honour to meet him through my wonderful friend Gavin. Thoughts & prayers go to his family.

BONANG MATHEBA
@bonang_m
Rest well Champion. #RipJoost

Photo: Getty Images