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Henco van Wyk

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Henco van Wyk
Full nameHenco van Wyk
Date of birth (2001-05-07) 7 May 2001 (age 23)
Place of birthRustenburg, South Africa[1]
Height1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight92 kg (203 lb)
SchoolHoërskool Monument
UniversityUniversity of Witwatersrand
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Current team Lions / Golden Lions
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021– Golden Lions 6 (10)
2022– Lions 28 (50)
Correct as of 26 April 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019 South Africa U20 0 (0)

Henco van Wyk (born 7 May 2001) is a South African professional rugby union player for the Golden Lions in the Currie Cup.[2] His regular position is outside centre. He was selected for the SA Schools Team in 2019.

Van Wyk was named in the Golden Lions squad for the 2021 Currie Cup Premier Division.[3] He made his debut for the Golden Lions in Round 10 of the 2021 Currie Cup Premier Division against the Free State Cheetahs.[4]

Henco van Wyk was named the Junior Springbok Player of the Year[5] as he was a star for the national U20 side during their international series in 2021. He made his debut for the Lions in the United Rugby Championship against Edinburgh in April 2022.[6]

In addition to his on-field prowess, Van Wyk has earned the nickname "Weapon X", a nod to the Marvel character Wolverine and an homage to American football player Brian Dawkins, known for his relentless aggression and similar playing style.[7][8]

High School career

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In 2019, during his final year at Monument High School, Henco van Wyk emerged as one of the most dominant high school rugby players in South Africa. As captain of the school's rugby team, he garnered numerous accolades, reflecting his talents on the field. Van Wyk was recognized for playing the most matches for the school's first team, totaling 41 matches, and was named Sevens Player of the Year. He also received awards for scoring the most tries for the first team, with 18 tries, and was honored as the Most Valuable Player, Rugby Player of the Year, and Sports Boy of the Year.[9][10]

That same year, he was selected for the SA U18 Sevens team that won the Capricorn International Sevens Tournament in Namibia.[11][12] At the end of the year, he was also won an award for High School Rugby Player of the Year in South Africa.[13]

Professional career

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Junior Springboks

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2021

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In 2021, van Wyk was selected for the South African U20 team (the Junior Springboks) for the International U20 series, where South Africa competed against Argentina, Georgia, and Uruguay. The Junior Springboks won the series, with van Wyk playing a pivotal role and being named the Junior Springbok Player of the Year.[14]

Lions

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2021

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Van Wyk was named in the Golden Lions squad for the 2021 Currie Cup Premier Division.[15] He made his debut for the Golden Lions in Round 10 of the 2021 Currie Cup Premier Division against the Free State Cheetahs.[16]

2022

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He made his debut for the Lions in the United Rugby Championship against Edinburgh in April 2022, coming off the bench.[17] Van Wyk's starting debut for the Lions came in their last game of the 2021/2022 season against Dragons RFC.[18]

By the beginning of the 2022/2023 season, van Wyk had become a regular starter for the Lions, featuring in their opening match against the Bulls in September 2022.[19] His performances during the Lions' away tour, which included wins against Cardiff and Edinburgh, solidified his reputation as a rising star.[20] Former Springbok Bakkies Botha praised van Wyk on Twitter, and he quickly became a fan favorite.[21]

His strong performances led to a call-up for the South African "A" team at the end of the year, coached by Mzwandile Stick.[22][23]

Unfortunately, van Wyk's year ended on a sour note as he was sidelined with an elbow injury sustained in a match against Stade Francais in the Challenge Cup.[24] The injury was a significant setback to his aspirations of making the South African World Cup squad in 2023.[25]

References

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  1. ^ "Henco van Wyk". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  2. ^ "The 18-year-old South African wonder-kid who is dominating schoolboy rugby". Rugby Onslaught. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Golden Lions squad". SA Rugby. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Cheetahs and Lions play to high-scoring draw". SA Rugby Magazine. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Siya Kolisi scoops top SA Rugby Award for 2021". SA Rugby. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Lions lose skipper Burger Odendaal to Covid protocols ahead of Edinburgh duel". News24. 1 April 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  7. ^ "United Rugby Championship Team of the Week – Round 2". Bet Central. Bet Central. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  8. ^ "SA's URC young stars catch the eye". SuperSport. SuperSport. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  9. ^ "Die SA Skole-senter Henco van Wyk het Dinsdagaand by die Hoërskool Monument se prysuitdeling skoonskip gemaak (Translation: The SA Schools center Henco van Wyk made a clean sweep at the Hoërskool Monument's awards ceremony on Tuesday night)" (in Afrikaans). SupaRugby's Official Facebook Page. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  10. ^ "Dear Rassie Erasmus... Unleash Weapon X – Henco van Wyk". TASanalytics. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  11. ^ "SA U18 names strong team to defend title in Windhoek". SuperSport Schools. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  12. ^ "Hat-trick of titles for SA U18 at the Capricorn 7's in Windhoek". SuperSport Schools. 10 March 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  13. ^ "A Brilliant Evening at Monnas". Ruggas.co.za. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  14. ^ [Existing Reference 5]
  15. ^ [Existing Reference 3]
  16. ^ [Existing Reference 4]
  17. ^ "Lions lose skipper Burger Odendaal to Covid protocols ahead of Edinburgh duel". News24. 1 April 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  18. ^ "Lions make several changes for Dragons clash". BBC Sport. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  19. ^ "Emirates Lions team named for Vodacom URC opener". SA Rugby. 15 September 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  20. ^ "Emirates Lions continue winning streak with victory at Edinburgh". United Rugby. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  21. ^ "Five SA players fans enjoy watching in the URC right now". News24. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  22. ^ "Lions boss raves: Centre Henco van Wyk 'full package'". The Citizen. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  23. ^ "Springbok and SA 'A' squads announced for next month's tour of Europe". Times Live. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  24. ^ "Lions sweat over crocked centre". SA Rugby Magazine. 18 December 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  25. ^ "My dream is still to become a Springbok: Rugby World Cup is inspiring Lions' Henco van Wyk". IOL. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
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