Honiball had a very expansive running game which brought the loose-forwards into the game quickly. He was also very tall for a fly-half and extremely physical, being a strong tackler and not afraid to take the ball and challenge the opposition. He earned his nickname of 'Lem', which is Afrikaans for 'blade', for his ability to 'cut' through his opponent's defence.
In the context of Honiball's playing style, he was known for his extensive involvement in the game, quickly bringing loose-forwards into action. As a tall and physically imposing fly-half, he used his strength to tackle opponents and take control of the ball, earning him the nickname 'Lem' due to his ability to cut through defenses.