Savvy hedge-fund investors in Greek bonds were shell-shocked by the country’s rebuke of the austerity plan with a “no” vote in Sunday’s referendum.

But while they didn’t see it coming, the hedgies say they plan to load up on Greek government debt once the market starts trading again.

That’s because bonds aren’t likely to default even if Greece and its eurozone creditors can’t come to an agreement, and the country abandons the euro to return to the drachma, say some investors close to the situation.

“If Greece defaults on every official entity, it’s not a default on the private-sector bonds,” said a major hedge-fund investor who requested anonymity. “It’s very easy to service the private-sector bonds.”

Hedgies own the private-sector bonds, which are not subject to bailout talks or haircuts.

The long-term Greek government bonds that are widely traded were restructured years ago, with investors taking a 53 percent haircut, while the European Central Bank, International Monetary Fund and private European banks demanded to be paid at par.

As a result, Greece’s private-sector debt is only about $70 billion out of the total of $354 billion it owes.