Van Heerden to retire
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 22, Wikus van Heerden during the MTN Lions media open day from Coca-Cola Park on February 22. 2012 in Johannesburg, South Africa Photo by Duif du Toit / Gallo Images JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 22, Wikus van Heerden during the MTN Lions media open day from Coca-Cola Park on February 22. 2012 in Johannesburg, South Africa Photo by Duif du Toit / Gallo Images
Johannesurg – Former South Africa and Saracens flanker Wikus van Heerden, who won the World Cup with the Springboks in 2007, will retire this weekend.
Van Heerden will give up all rugby after the Currie Cup game between his Lions and the Sharks in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Van Heerden played 14 tests and was a replacement in the Boks' 15-6 win over England in the World Cup final in Paris.
The 33-year-old loose forward - who also could play lock – had two spells with the Lions, won the 2007 Super rugby title with the Bulls and spent a season with England's Saracens in 2009-10.
He was part of the Lions' Currie Cup-winning team last season but has been sidelined recently with injury. He is the son of former Springbok lock Moaner van Heerden. – Sapa-AP