Born 10 March 1898 in Boshof, Free State, Attie van Heerden participated in the 400-metre hurdles in the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium.

Attie van Heerden scored 42 points, from 14 tries, and was the top try scorer on the 1921 South Africa rugby union tour of Australia and New Zealand.

[5] Attie van Heerden played wing, and scored a try in Wigan's 21–4 victory over Oldham in the 1923–24 Challenge Cup Final during the 1923–24 season at Athletic Grounds, Rochdale on Saturday 12 April 1924.

[7] Attie van Heerden played on the wing in Wigan's 11–15 defeat by Swinton in the 1925–26 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1925–26 season at The Cliff, Broughton on Wednesday 9 December 1925.

Following his retirement from rugby, Attie van Heerden returned to South Africa, and worked as a security guard for Iscor.