Andries van Heerden


Andries van Heerden is a French former rugby union international.

Biography

Early life

Born in Cape Town, van Heerden grew up on a farm outside the city and played rugby for Western Province, before moving to France in 1986. He settled in the town of Tarbes in the south west of the country, acquiring French nationality after marrying a local.

Rugby union career

Van Heerden, a number eight, had a slender body shape than most forwards, but was an athletic and tireless player. He played most of his French rugby with Stadoceste Tarbais and was a member of the side which contested the final of the 1987–88 French Championship. In 1992, van Heerden became the second player of South African origin to be capped for France, when he made two Five Nations appearances, against England at Parc des Princes and Scotland at Murrayfield.