The film tracks Van der Westhuizen as he battles the effects of Motor Neuron Disease (MND), a debilitating disease that strikes down scores of healthy adults every year, many of them athletes. It's a very intimate portrayal, which also focuses on the global effort to find a cure, and Joost's campaign to provide better treatment in SA.
The film was directed and produced by award-winning journalist and filmmaker, Odette Schwegler, and co-produced by Michael Yelseth and John Webb.
Van der Westhuizen is most famous for his ten-year role as scrum-half for the South African national rugby team, the Springboks. Viewers are given an uplifting insight into his world and the indomitable fighting spirit that made him one of South Africa's favourite rugby heroes. Fans of the sport will be treated to fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from a string of the world's greatest players who share candid moments from their careers.
This film not only documents Van der Westhuizen's battle with MND and his rugby exploits, but it also takes viewers on a worldwide quest to conquer MND and bring better treatment to South African patients. "Local research is virtually non-existent, as are facilities offering care for people with neuro-degenerative diseases," explains Schwegler.
"The making of this film took us on an incredible journey with an incredible man. It touched and changed the lives of everyone who worked on it, as I believe it will touch and change the lives of those who watch it," says Schwegler.
The Joost van der Westhuizen Centre for Neuro-degeneration (JCN) was established by Van der Westhuizen last year to ignite research (previously non-existent in South Africa), and make multi-disciplinary care available to patients suffering from neuro-degenerative diseases. Dedicated clinics have been established at Tygerberg, Groote Schuur and Chris Hani Baragwanth with the aim of extending to all major public hospitals across the country. The JCN also supports MND specific research currently under way at Wits, Stellenbosch and UCT.
Dr Franclo Henning, senior specialist in Neurology at Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, predicts that there are about 750 and 1,500 new cases of MND diagnosed in South Africa every year. There are about 4,500 and 9,000 people living with the disease at any time.
In support of Joost and his work, cinema partners have offered to make screenings available for fundraising purposes from 14 to 20 August with ticket-sale proceeds going to the JNC in support of research and patient care. It's an opportunity for corporates to host an exclusive staff or suppliers/partners/client function in the run up to the Rugby World Cup - and help to save lives in the process.
Glory Game opens to the general public at selected cinemas across the country on 21 August.
