One thought on “Player Profile: van Heerden, Wikus”
Van Heerden’s leadership qualities have made a huge impression on
Springbok coach Jake White, so much so that if John Smit were to be
injured, the Cats captain would probably take charge of the national
side.
Van Heerden was inspirational for the Cats in the Vodacom Super
14. His willingness to put his body on the line and give 100% in every
match he played has once again brought him national recognition, after
he was called up as a late replacement for the 2005 end-of-year tour,
but did not make an appearance.
Van Heerden is a tough loose forward in the mould of his father, legendary Springbok lock of the seventies Moaner, and his uncle, Wickus, who played on the side of the scrum for the Sharks in the nineties.
He progressed through the national junior ranks and captained the South African U21s in 2000.
Many pundits predict he’ll walk in his father’s footprints, but in the mean time he has his work cut out in the Cats franchise, competing for a start against internationals such as Rassie Erasmus, Andre Vos and Johan van Niekerk.
Playing Position: Flanker
Honours:
Golden Lions Bankfin Currie Cup 2002
Bulls – Super 12 2003
Bulls Super 14 2007
Springbok Squads 2007
Personal Details
Full Name Wikus
Surname van Heerden
Height 193cm
Weight 107kg
Birth Date 25 February 1979
Birth City Johannesburg
Marital Status Single
Favourite Film Braveheart
Favourite Music Michael Learns To Rock
Secondary School Waterkloof High School
Van Heerden’s leadership qualities have made a huge impression on
Springbok coach Jake White, so much so that if John Smit were to be
injured, the Cats captain would probably take charge of the national
side.
Van Heerden was inspirational for the Cats in the Vodacom Super
14. His willingness to put his body on the line and give 100% in every
match he played has once again brought him national recognition, after
he was called up as a late replacement for the 2005 end-of-year tour,
but did not make an appearance.
Van Heerden is a tough loose forward in the mould of his father, legendary Springbok lock of the seventies Moaner, and his uncle, Wickus, who played on the side of the scrum for the Sharks in the nineties.
He progressed through the national junior ranks and captained the South African U21s in 2000.
Many pundits predict he’ll walk in his father’s footprints, but in the mean time he has his work cut out in the Cats franchise, competing for a start against internationals such as Rassie Erasmus, Andre Vos and Johan van Niekerk.
Playing Position: Flanker
Honours:
Golden Lions Bankfin Currie Cup 2002
Bulls – Super 12 2003
Bulls Super 14 2007
Springbok Squads 2007
Personal Details
Full Name Wikus
Surname van Heerden
Height 193cm
Weight 107kg
Birth Date 25 February 1979
Birth City Johannesburg
Marital Status Single
Favourite Film Braveheart
Favourite Music Michael Learns To Rock
Secondary School Waterkloof High School