Johan Wilhelm Heunis (born 26 January 1958 in George, Western Cape, South Africa) is a former South African rugby union player.[1]

Johan Heunis
Birth nameJohan Wilhelm Heunis
Date of birth (1958-01-26) 26 January 1958 (age 66)
Place of birthGeorge, Western Cape, South Africa
Height1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight87 kg (192 lb)
SchoolOuteniqua High School, George
UniversityUniversity of Port Elizabeth
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1979–1980 Eastern Province ()
1981–1989 Northern Transvaal 110 (29)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1981–1989 South Africa 14 (41)

Playing career

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Heunis started his career in Port Elizabeth while studying law at the University of Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University) and made his provincial debut for Eastern Province in 1979. After receiving his call up for his national service in Pretoria, he moved to Pretoria and gained Northern Transvaal colours in 1981.

Heunis made his test debut for the Springboks during the 1981 tour of New Zealand as a replacement for Gysie Pienaar in the third test on 12 September 1981 at Eden Park in Auckland. His first start for the Springboks in a test match was against the USA on 20 September 1981 at the Owl Creek Polo ground in Glenville, New York. Heunis played 14 test matches for the Springboks, scoring 41 points. He played a further 10 tour matches for the Springboks in which he scored 31 points.[2]

Test history

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No. Opposition Result (SA 1st) Position Points Date Venue
1.   New Zealand 22–25 Replacement 12 September 1981 Eden Park, Auckland
2.   United States 38–7 Fullback 20 September 1981 Owl Creek Polo ground, Glenville, New York
3.   South American Jaguars 50–18 Fullback 3 (1 pen) 27 March 1982 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
4.   South American Jaguars 12–21 Fullback 3 April 1982 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
5.   England 33–15 Fullback 21 (3 con, 5 pen) 2 June 1984 Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth
6.   England 35–9 Fullback 9 (3 con, 1 pen) 9 June 1984 Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
7.   South American Jaguars 32–15 Fullback 4 (1 try) 20 October 1984 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
8.   South American Jaguars 21–13 Fullback 27 October 1984 Newlands, Cape Town
9. New Zealand Cavaliers 21–15 Fullback 10 May 1986 Newlands, Cape Town
10. New Zealand Cavaliers 18–19 Fullback 17 May 1986 Kings Park, Durban
11. New Zealand Cavaliers 33–18 Fullback 24 May 1986 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
12. New Zealand Cavaliers 24–10 Fullback 31 May 1986 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
13. World XV 20–19 Fullback 26 Aug 1989 Newlands, Cape Town
14. World XV 22–16 Fullback 4 (1try) 2 Sep 1989 Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Legend: pen = penalty (3 pts.); con = conversion (2 pts.), drop = drop kick (3 pts.).

Accolades

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Heunis was named the SA Rugby Player of the Year for 1989

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Johan Heunis". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  2. ^ Jooste, Graham K. (1995). South African rugby test players 1949-1995. Johannesburg: Penguin. pp. 111–124. ISBN 0140250174. OCLC 36916860.