Johan Heunis

Johan Wilhelm Heunis (born 26 January 1958 in George, Western Cape, South Africa) 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 (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.

Test history

No. Opposition Result (SA 1st) Position Points Date Venue1. 22–25 Replacement 12 September 1981 Eden Park, Auckland 2. 38–7 Fullback 20 September 1981 Owl Creek Polo ground, Glenville, New York3. 24px South American Jaguars 50–18 Fullback 3 (1 pen) 27 March 1982 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 4. 24px South American Jaguars 12–21 Fullback 3 April 1982 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 5. 33–15 Fullback 21 (3 con, 5 pen) 2 June 1984 Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth 6. 35–9 Fullback 9 (3 con, 1 pen) 9 June 1984 Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 7. 24px South American Jaguars 32–15 Fullback 4 (1 try) 20 October 1984 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 8. 24px South American Jaguars 21–13 Fullback 27 October 1984 Newlands, Cape Town 9. New Zealand Cavaliers21–15 Fullback 10 May 1986 Newlands, Cape Town 10. New Zealand Cavaliers18–19 Fullback 17 May 1986 Kings Park, Durban 11. New Zealand Cavaliers33–18 Fullback 24 May 1986 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 12. New Zealand Cavaliers24–10 Fullback 31 May 1986 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 13. World XV20–19 Fullback 26 Aug 1989 Newlands, Cape Town 14. World XV22–16 Fullback 4 (1try) 2 Sep 1989 Ellis Park, Johannesburg Legend: pen = penalty (3 pts.); con = conversion (2 pts.), drop = drop kick (3 pts.).

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