Johan Heunis


Johan Wilhelm Heunis is a former South African rugby union player.

Playing career

Heunis started his career in Port Elizabeth while studying law at the University of Port Elizabeth 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.

Test history

No.OppositionResult PositionPointsDateVenue
1.22–25Replacement12 September 1981Eden Park, Auckland
2.38–7Fullback20 September 1981Owl Creek Polo ground, Glenville, New York
3. South American Jaguars50–18Fullback3 27 March 1982Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
4. South American Jaguars12–21Fullback3 April 1982Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
5.33–15Fullback21 2 June 1984Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth
6. England35–9Fullback9 9 June 1984Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
7. South American Jaguars32–15Fullback4 20 October 1984Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
8. South American Jaguars21–13Fullback27 October 1984Newlands, Cape Town
9.New Zealand Cavaliers 21–15Fullback10 May 1986Newlands, Cape Town
10.New Zealand Cavaliers 18–19Fullback17 May 1986Kings Park, Durban
11.New Zealand Cavaliers 33–18Fullback24 May 1986Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
12.New Zealand Cavaliers 24–10Fullback31 May 1986Ellis Park, Johannesburg
13.World XV 20–19Fullback26 Aug 1989Newlands, Cape Town
14.World XV 22–16Fullback 4 2 Sep 1989Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Accolades

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