Wikus van Heerden
| Date of birth | 25 February 1979 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Johannesburg, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 108 kg (238 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Position(s) | Flanker/Lock | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Provincial / State sides | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Points) |
| 2001–2006 2007–2008 2009–2010 2010–2012 |
Golden Lions Blue Bulls Saracens Golden Lions |
25 15 21 17 |
(35) (30) (10) (10) |
| Super Rugby | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Points) |
| 2002 2003 2004–2006 2007–2008 2010–2012 |
Cats Bulls Cats Bulls Lions |
4 11 31 27 20 |
(0) (10) (25) (50) (5) |
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Points) |
| 2003–2007 | Springboks | 14 | (5) |
Wikus van Heerden (born 25 February 1979 in Johannesburg) is a former South African rugby union footballer who played as a flanker and finished his career playing for the Lions in Super Rugby, and the Golden Lions in the national Currie Cup competition. Van Heerden has also played for the national team, the Springboks. Before his move to the Bulls, he was the captain of the Cats (now known as the Lions). Van Heerden is known for his high work rate, toughness as well as his leadership experience, despite having captained perpetually unsuccessful teams (such as the Cats/Lions during the 2004-6 Super 12/14 seasons in which, only 4 games from 35 were won).
He announced his retirement during the 2012 Currie Cup Premier Division season.
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.
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