Wikus wired to stay a Bok
3 Feb 2006
Wikus van Heerden may have been relegated to the status of tourist on the Boks’ end-of-year tour, but the experience has motivated him more than ever before.
Speaking to keo.co.za, the Cats captain reflected on the high of receiving a late call up for the tour, whilst reflecting on the three subsequent Tests in which he was excluded from every match 22.
“Jake told me he wanted to see what type of player I am,” Van Heerden said. “In his view, sticking me on the bench and then judging me on a 20 minute display would not be fair, and he said he’d rather give me a chance for a full 80 minutes.
“Going on tour was not frustrating, though. It was just so great to be back in the Bok setup. After being there, I am unbelievably motivated to make sure there’s no reason to leave me out after the Super 14. There’s just a totally different vibe about the Boks to when I was last there. It’s incredibly professional and everything is geared towards performance.”
Van Heerden’s leadership is defined by his unselfish nature and intense work rate, and thus he does not for a second suggest his focus has drifted from the Cats’ Super 14 campaign.
“Of course it’s important to me that I catch Jake’e eye again and make the squad, but being in a Super 14 setup again is very exciting. I believe in what we’re doing here, and really believe we’re going to surprise a lot of people. Mind you, talk is cheap and when you’ve underperformed for years as we have, the only statements that matter are those that we will make on the field.”
Van Heerden welcomes the widespread belief that the Cats will scrap it out to avoid relegation.
“It’s always good when everyone writes you off,” he laughs. “Let’s see how it goes.”
The Cats kick-off their campaign against the Stormers at Ellis Park next Saturday.
28 Comments
3 Feb 2006, 09:53 am
……
3 Feb 2006, 09:54 am
take your time jannas. deep breaths
3 Feb 2006, 09:55 am
I believe Wikus has more to offer at captain for the Boks than JS ever did. Looking forward to seeing more of you in the green and gold…
3 Feb 2006, 09:55 am
You wired?
3 Feb 2006, 09:57 am
there we go. well done
3 Feb 2006, 09:58 am
Spot on Jannas. Go Wikus, kick ***!
3 Feb 2006, 10:02 am
Juan Smith I agree has a few shortcomings… but who is better!
Anyway, Wikus sometimes appears as the “Dropper” a la Chandeler from Friends! His ball skills (especially at kick-off receiving) needs months of work but other than that he is quite a good player.
3 Feb 2006, 10:03 am
Wickus the legend!!!! All the best young man, I really like the attitude of this guy. Doesn’t talk a lot of k@k (unlike our cricket cappie…) and plays his heart out for a team. Now, go and lead my Cats from secound last to fouth last Wickus! Baby steps…
Ag, what am I saying! Cats to win the Super14!! 
3 Feb 2006, 10:06 am
Awesome bloke, very impressive over the past few seasons in the S12(playing for the CATS bootom of the log) and Currie Cup. He’s unlucky not to have featured more in the national setup. Maybe 2006 will be his year.
3 Feb 2006, 10:08 am
jake needs to identify a back up captain should anything happen to john – wikus is the perfect back-up in my view – i rate juan too, but wikus a bit higher at this stage of the game.
i do believe he will make a great 8th man though.
3 Feb 2006, 10:10 am
the comparison between wikus and juan was made with the view of back up captain, not no. 7 for the boks – juan is the best in the country imo.
3 Feb 2006, 10:11 am
PissAnt
Please matie, don’t you want to go to the bulls tread??? You know what happens when you talk about one of mine…
3 Feb 2006, 10:16 am
Old Wkius is an alright player, would like to see him play a test or two.
3 Feb 2006, 10:19 am
Juan Smit as captain? have you heard him talk on Boots and all lol. Awesome player but not a captian.
WV is da man
Cats to win the super 14.
3 Feb 2006, 10:30 am
juan is captaining the cheetahs this year – lets see how he goes.
he is also rated by some kiwi’s as the best no.7 in the world and one of the few forwards around with a bit upstairs – the thinking player if you will.
but wikus is a better captain and an obvious imo to back smit up for france ’07
3 Feb 2006, 11:01 am
Good player.Does the hard yards,leads by example and keeps his trap shut.
But wont play a full 80 for the boks again I beleive.Not with all the backrow talent available.
If only we have more game breaking flyhalfs in abundance….
3 Feb 2006, 11:03 am
Wikus in the mix, Watson back on track. Baywatch,Solly,Kabamba,Melck,Spies etc etc.
Imagine we had this kind of depth at flyhalf
Sigh!!!!!!!
3 Feb 2006, 11:08 am
Bit of a Reuben Thorne this oke dont you think? Great captain and very good provincial player – not quite the x-factor for higher honours. An honest grafter who will give his all.
3 Feb 2006, 11:11 am
Pity you can’t play rugby with just losies, het Smelthis
3 Feb 2006, 11:18 am
I mustagree, Wickus is a fine flank and a damn good captain. As a Shark supporter, I believe he is a better captain than John, but there are many flanks and only two “spots” –I personally dont think JW is looking seriously at Wickus, he is being strung along — only if there is a huge injury problem will WIckus get a call up.
3 Feb 2006, 11:45 am
A genuine blindside flanker that would be in the starting lineup of just about every team in the world. Problem is we dont recognise it. We dont even know how to number our loosies, forget about selecting them.
Go Klein Moaner!!!!!
3 Feb 2006, 11:54 am
The sooner this guy is givin his Bok break the better for all concerned.
One of the few players left that plays the game full out consistently.
3 Feb 2006, 11:58 am
Cycloid, fortunately the 1st is “months” away.
3 Feb 2006, 12:25 pm
for sheer effort, few match the consistentcy of Wickus.
unfortunately scahlk and wickus are similar players, but i think JW is looking for a strong ball carrier at 7, especially with JvN at 8. the poms have 3 of them in their loose trio, worsely, corrie and moody; the kiwis have the ultimate in Collins and Luaki, the aussies have the bloke with the jowels. the sharks have done well with farani, but we could do with an Andre Venter, Ian MacDonald type.
Juan Smit is an exceelent flank, but not sure he’s in
3 Feb 2006, 12:29 pm
I want to see Wikus play England and NZ
Then will decide, but otherwise what a champion player… a machine.
3 Feb 2006, 14:02 pm
Agree with munkiboi.
Hes not the type of player that will make many peoples world XV.Does give it hes all at all times though.
Ashwell Prince is alot like that.A fighter,but not someone who will set the world alight.
3 Feb 2006, 16:18 pm
Problem for Wikus is that there is just so much good opposition at blind side. Juan is playing awesome rugby, and Pedrie is chasing down nicely. Then we have the lock *** blinde siders like AJ, and Danie R. Long long list.
he doesnt have anything that the above names dont have.
6 Feb 2006, 09:27 am
“the aussies have the bloke with the jowels”
he he he, Cab. Glad to see I’m not the only one who thinks David Lyons resembles a boerboel.
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