- Wikus van Heerden
'Infobox Football biography"Wikus van Heerden"'Full Name: Wikus Van HeerdenNationality: South AfricanCurrent Club: Saracens
(born
25 February ,1979 inJohannesburg ) is aSouth African rugby union footballer who plays as aFlanker , currently signed to play for the Sarcens F C in theGuiness premiership , and the Bulls in the internationalSuper 14 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). He weighs convert|105|kg|lb|abbr=on|lk=on and stands height|m=1.93 tall. 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 made his debut for the Springboks on
7 June 2003 as flanker against Scotland at Kings Park inDurban . 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 theAll Blacks atLoftus Versfeld , and was a reserve in another match against Australia atSuncorp 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 theWallabies inSydney . 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 theAll Blacks in Christchurch a week later. These performances lead to his inclusion in the Springbok'sRugby world cup squad.On the 16th of May 2008 it was confirmed that he will be joining Guinness Premiership side Saracens in November 2008 following his Currie Cup commitments with the Bulls.
His father is former Springbok Lock Moaner van Heerden.
External links
* [http://www.genslin.us/bokke/SARugby.html Wikus van Heerden] on the Springbok Rugby Hall of Fame
* [http://www.sarugby.com/news/Player/pid=60.html Wikus van Heerden] on sarugby.com
* [http://www.lionsrugby.co.za/newsdetail.asp?NewsID=151 Wikus van Heerden to Captain Lions Team]
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