As we head towards the final days of 2017 and begin to look ahead to the new year, we take a look at some of the global figures that we lost over the past twelve months.

Few rugby players can simply be identified by their first names. Gareth, Sonny Bill, Zinzan, Jonny, and Jonah are some of the few whose deeds and skills have given them that particular status. And Joost.

World Cup winner Joost van der Westhuizen has been hailed as a "warrior" by rugby stars across the globe.

World Cup winner Joost van der Westhuizen has died after a long battle with motor neurone disease at the age of 45.