Flanker Heinrich Brüssow represents the Free State Cheetahs in the Super 14 and Currie Cup and has also won Test recognition with South Africa.

In 2009 Brüssow was part of the South African side that played against a Namibian XV in preparation for the British & Irish Lions tour, but did not make the original squad to face the Lions despite an outstanding Super 14.

During the Lions' tour, Brussow played for his franchise against the touring side in a losing cause in Bloemfontein but he was excellent at stealing the ball and slowing the game down at the breakdown. His performance in this narrow defeat earned praise from Lions captain Paul O'Connell.

After an injury to Schalk Burger, Brüssow was called up to the Springboks squad for the first Test in Durban and played brilliantly scoring a second-half try in a narrow 26-21 win. He was used as a replacement in the second Test once Burger returned to the side as the Springboks won the series. After Burger was sin-binned in the first minute of the second Test and handed an eight-week ban for making contact with Luke Fitzgerald's eyes, Brüssow started the third Test as the Lions gained a consolation victory in Johannesburg.

Brussow's first Test cap came as a substitute against England at Twickenham in an emphatic 42-6 victory in November 2008. He came on for Pierre Spies and played at No.8 for the final five minutes. Also in 2008 he was named as a Sasol Young Player of the Year nominee and Premier Division Player of the Year nominee.