Johan Goosen Biography

A gem hiding in plain sight, Johan Goosen may be among the most underrated players in the South African rugby arsenal. That is not to say the flyhalf is not regarded highly, but more that the range of his full skill cap is yet to be fully appreciated.

The creative flyhalf was cut from the Grey College cloth and joined the South Africa Under 20 team in 2011, and would have made the 2012 rendition as well if he had not succumbed to a shoulder injury. At the time of his injury, he was the leading point scorer in his debut Super Rugby season with the Cheetahs, scoring 145 points in nine games.

Johannes Lodewikus Goosen made his debut for the Springboks in September 2012 against Australia. He would suffer another injury early in 2013, this time to his knee, putting him out of commission for the rest of the year.

He ended his time at the Cheetahs in 2014 with an average point rate of 12,3 per game which is simply incredible. The inventive flyhalf decided it was time to find opportunities abroad and signed with Racing 92.

His first season at the French outfit saw him reach the quarter final. The following year, however, Johan Goosen took the reins as general and led his team to victory against Toulon, quenching a 25-year-long run since they drank from the TOP14 trophy.

At the end of 2016 he stepped away from rugby to follow personal pursuits, but returned in 2018 for a handful of games in the Cheetahs squad. Upon his return, Montpellier would opt to buy him out of his Racing 92 contract which was still ongoing despite his stepping away from rugby.

Their gumption was rewarded with a quarter final place in the TOP14 for the 2019 season, and a Challenge Cup victory in 2021. Johan Goosen secured man of the match for his efforts in the Challenge Cup Final.

In April 2021 he would return to South Africa to play for the Bulls. His first season with them saw him and the Pretoria side win the Currie Cup competition.

It seems Johan Goosen has the midas touch, but may be an example of another star player falling through the cracks of the South African rugby system. Regardless of whether he is recognized or not, the inventive flyhalf’s skill is undeniable.