Having first represented the Limpopo Blue Bulls as a 16-year-old, Hencus van Wyk had a standout Craven Week in 2010, leading the Blue Bulls to offer him a junior provincial contract. Hencus went on to star for the Pretoria-based union in both the U19 and U21 Currie Cup, making his senior debut in the Vodacom Cup as a 19-year-old. Van Wyk’s first Super Rugby appearance came less than two years later against the Waratahs, and his ability to play on both sides of the scrum saw Hencus spend a further two seasons at Loftus, before signing with the Lions.

Skilful, robust and a powerful scrummager, his silky handling and explosive pace are perfectly suited for the modern game and the Munakata Sanix Blues aggressively recruited him in 2016. After dominating the Japanese Top League, Hencus was drafted into the newly formed Sunwolves Super Rugby squad in 2018, where he fast became a favourite of the crowd and popular within the squad. Disciplined, experienced, and set to reach the prime of a front ranker’s career, the best of Hencus van Wyk is yet to come.