Gerrie Sonnekus

Gerhardus Hermanus Hendrikus 'Gerrie' Sonnekus (born 1 February 1953) is a former South African rugby union player.[1]

Gerrie Sonnekus
Birth nameGerhardus Hermanus Hendrikus Sonnekus
Date of birth (1953-02-01) 1 February 1953
Place of birthSenekal, Free State
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight86 kg (190 lb)
SchoolWelkom-Gimnasium, Welkom
UniversityUniversity of the Free State
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrumhalf, Number 8, Flank
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Shimlas ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1974–1985 Free State 160 (276)
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1974, 1984 South Africa 3 (4)

Playing career

Sonnekus finished his schooling in Welkom and studied at the University of the Free State. He played his first provincial match for the Free State in 1974 and continued to represent the union until 1985. During his career with the Free State he played in five Currie Cup finals, being on the losing side in 1975, 1977, 1978 and 1981. In 1976 he was a member of the Free State team that won the Currie Cup final against Western Province and gained is winners medal when he went on as a replacement for Eben Jansen during the match.[2] With his retirement at the end of the 1985 season, Sonnekus was the Free State record holder for most matches of 160, most matches as captain of 63, most tries of 69 and most Currie Cup matches of 104.[3]

Sonnekus played three test matches for the Springboks. His first test was the third tests in the series against the 1974 Lions team captained by Willie John McBride, played at the Boet Erasmus Stadium in Port Elizabeth, when he was selected as scrumhalf. His second test match was almost ten years later, once again at the Boet Erasmus Stadium, this time as number 8 against England. He then played in the second test against the English, at Ellis Park and scores his first test try during the match.[4]

Test history
No.OppositionResult (SA 1st)PositionTriesDateVenue
1. British Lions9–26Scrumhalf13 July 1974Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth
2. England33–15Number 82 June 1984Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth
3. England35–9Number 819 June 1984Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg

Accolades

Sonnekus was one of the five nominees for 1985 SA Rugby player of the Year award. The other nominees for the award were Jannie Breedt, Schalk Burger Snr., Danie Gerber and the eventual winner of the award, Naas Botha.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Gerrie Sonnekus". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  2. Colquhoun, Andy (1999). The South African Rugby Annual 1999. Cape Town: MWP Media Sport. pp. 176–177. ISBN 0958423148.
  3. Van Rooyen, Quintus (1986). S.A. Rugby Writers Annual 1986. Verwoerdburg: SA Rugby Writers' Society. p. 127. ISBN 0620132469.
  4. Jooste, Graham K. (1995). South African rugby test players 1949-1995. Johannesburg: Penguin. pp. 87, 115–116. ISBN 0140250174. OCLC 36916860.
  5. Van Rooyen, Quintus (1986). S.A. Rugby Writers Annual 1986. Verwoerdburg: SA Rugby Writers' Society. p. 6. ISBN 0620132469.
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