Johannes Lodewikus 'Wikus' van Heerden (born 25 February 1979 in Johannesburg) is a South African former rugby union player who played as a flanker. He finished his career playing for the Lions in Super Rugby, and the Golden Lions in the national Currie Cup competition. Van Heerden also won 14 caps for the South Africa national team, the Springboks.[1] Before his move to the Bulls, he was the captain of the Cats (now known as the Lions).
Van Heerden made his debut for the Springboks on 7 June 2003 as flanker against Scotland at Kings Park in Durban. South Africa won the match 29 points to 25. He played at flanker for the second Test against the Scottish a week later at Ellis Park, which South Africa also won, 28 to 19.
He was subsequently including in South Africa's 2003 Tri Nations Series squad. He played against the Wallabies at Newlands, which the Springboks won 26 to 22. He also played against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld, and was a reserve in another match against Australia at Suncorp Stadium, both of which the Springboks lost.
Van Heerden had a good 2007 Super 14 campaign with the Bulls as the team's specialist fetcher. His best game was in the Bulls’ 92–3 win against the Reds at Loftus, scoring two tries in the process. This led to him being selected into the Springboks. In July 2007, Van Heerden played his first Test in four years, against the Wallabies in Sydney. He played very well in this match, being regarded as the best Bok forward, albeit in a second string Springbok XV. He was equally impressive in the match against the All Blacks in Christchurch a week later. These performances lead to his inclusion in the Springbok's victorious 2007 Rugby World Cup squad.
On 16 May 2008 it was confirmed that he would join Guinness Premiership side Saracens in November 2008 following his Currie Cup commitments with the Bulls. He scored a try on his debut for Saracens in a 27–14 defeat against London Irish at the Madejski Stadium on 23 November.
On 18 March 2010, it was confirmed that Saracens had released him to return to South Africa where he would play for the Lions. This was a surprise, as Saracens had indicated he would see out the season with the club. In his first super rugby season back in South Africa he broke his arm but was back for the first match of the Curriecup. Unfortunately he broke his arm again in exactly the same place in this match, putting him out for several weeks. His father is former Springbok LockMoaner van Heerden.
^"Wikus van Heerden". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
^"Wikus hangs up his boots". Sport24. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
External linksedit
Wikus van Heerden on the Springbok Rugby Hall of Fame
Wikus van Heerden on sarugby.com
Lions profile
Wikus van Heerden to Captain Lions Team
Profile on Saracens official website
January 01, 1970
wikus, heerden, johannes, lodewikus, wikus, heerden, born, february, 1979, johannesburg, south, african, former, rugby, union, player, played, flanker, finished, career, playing, lions, super, rugby, golden, lions, national, currie, competition, heerden, also,. Johannes Lodewikus Wikus van Heerden born 25 February 1979 in Johannesburg is a South African former rugby union player who played as a flanker He finished his career playing for the Lions in Super Rugby and the Golden Lions in the national Currie Cup competition Van Heerden also won 14 caps for the South Africa national team the Springboks 1 Before his move to the Bulls he was the captain of the Cats now known as the Lions Wikus van HeerdenBirth nameJohannes Lodewikus van HeerdenDate of birth 1979 02 25 25 February 1979 age 45 Place of birthJohannesburg South AfricaHeight1 93 m 6 ft 4 in Weight108 kg 238 lb SchoolHoerskool WaterkloofNotable relative s Moaner van Heerden father Rugby union careerPosition s Flanker LockProvincial State sidesYearsTeamApps Points 2001 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2010 2012Golden Lions Blue Bulls Saracens Golden Lions25 15 21 17 35 30 10 10 Super RugbyYearsTeamApps Points 2002 2003 2004 2006 2007 2008 2010 2012Cats Bulls Cats Bulls Lions4 11 31 27 20 0 10 25 50 5 International careerYearsTeamApps Points 2003 2007Springboks14 5 He announced his retirement during the 2012 Currie Cup Premier Division season 2 Contents 1 Career 2 Honours 3 References 4 External linksCareer editVan Heerden made his debut for the Springboks on 7 June 2003 as flanker against Scotland at Kings Park in Durban South Africa won the match 29 points to 25 He played at flanker for the second Test against the Scottish a week later at Ellis Park which South Africa also won 28 to 19 He was subsequently including in South Africa s 2003 Tri Nations Series squad He played against the Wallabies at Newlands which the Springboks won 26 to 22 He also played against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld and was a reserve in another match against Australia at Suncorp Stadium both of which the Springboks lost Van Heerden had a good 2007 Super 14 campaign with the Bulls as the team s specialist fetcher His best game was in the Bulls 92 3 win against the Reds at Loftus scoring two tries in the process This led to him being selected into the Springboks In July 2007 Van Heerden played his first Test in four years against the Wallabies in Sydney He played very well in this match being regarded as the best Bok forward albeit in a second string Springbok XV He was equally impressive in the match against the All Blacks in Christchurch a week later These performances lead to his inclusion in the Springbok s victorious 2007 Rugby World Cup squad On 16 May 2008 it was confirmed that he would join Guinness Premiership side Saracens in November 2008 following his Currie Cup commitments with the Bulls He scored a try on his debut for Saracens in a 27 14 defeat against London Irish at the Madejski Stadium on 23 November On 18 March 2010 it was confirmed that Saracens had released him to return to South Africa where he would play for the Lions This was a surprise as Saracens had indicated he would see out the season with the club In his first super rugby season back in South Africa he broke his arm but was back for the first match of the Curriecup Unfortunately he broke his arm again in exactly the same place in this match putting him out for several weeks His father is former Springbok Lock Moaner van Heerden Honours edit2007 Super Rugby winner Bulls 2007 Rugby World Cup winner Springboks 2011 Currie Cup winner Golden Lions References edit Wikus van Heerden ESPN scrum Retrieved 3 October 2019 Wikus hangs up his boots Sport24 19 September 2012 Retrieved 19 September 2012 External links editWikus van Heerden on the Springbok Rugby Hall of Fame Wikus van Heerden on sarugby com Lions profile Wikus van Heerden to Captain Lions Team Profile on Saracens official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Wikus van Heerden amp oldid 1219334343, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
