Hennie Bekker (rugby player)

After school, Bekker enrolled at Paarl Teachers Training College and made his provincial debut for Boland on 24 May 1973 against a touring London Counties team. In 1974 Bekker moved to Stellenbosch University to further his studies and joined the University's rugby club, Maties. He made his debut for Western Province on 10 August 1974 against Transvaal and scored his first try for Western Province.

Two years later, in 1977 Bekker received his call up for military service and he had to join the Defence Force in Bloemfontein. During his time in Bloemfontein he played 27 matches for the Free State. Bekker returned to Stellenbosch in 1979 and again joined the Maties. He also returned to the Western Province team and represented the province until his retirement from playing at the end of 1985. During the 1980's Bekker was part of the Western Province team that won the Currie Cup in 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985. At the time of his retirement, Bekker scored 44 tries for Western Province, which was the Western Province try scoring record.[2]

Bekker made his test debut for the Springboks during the 1981 tour of New Zealand in the first test on 15 August 1981 at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, New Zealand. He was not selected for the second test but returned to the side for the third test match against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland.[3] Bekker played a further 8 matches on tour for the Springboks, scoring three tries.