J. P. Koen
# J. P. Koen

Juan-Pierre 'JP' Koen (born 17 October 1983) is a South African rugby union player who currently plays as a prop for Southland in the ITM Cup and the Highlanders in the international Super Rugby competition.

## Career

Born and raised in South Africa, Koen played his youth rugby for the Falcons in his home province. However, a lack of domestic opportunities saw him move to New Zealand in 2004. He has played club rugby for the Invercargill based Pirates Old-Boys since arriving in New Zealand and eventually made the Southland ITM Cup side in 2012 where he made one appearance. He fully established himself as a starter during the 2013 ITM Cup campaign and an injury crisis in the Highlanders front-row towards the tail end of the 2014 Super Rugby season saw him earn a first Super Rugby cap in a 44-16 defeat by the Waratahs on 6 July 2014.

