The DHL Stormers have added some much-needed experience to their second-row stocks by signing former Vodacom Bulls and Sharks lock Ruben van Heerden.
Van Heerden’s English club, Exeter Chiefs, confirmed on Friday that the lock would be leaving with immediate effect to return to South Africa and take up a short-term contract with the Stormers, with a view to a longer stay in Cape Town.
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The 25-year-old featured in 14 appearances for the Chiefs this season, scoring five tries in total, having joined Exeter in 2022.
Commenting on the news, Chiefs’ Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, said: “Obviously, it’s a tough decision for everyone involved. Ruben came and saw me a week or so ago and said he felt he hadn’t quite fitted in how he liked too. He also got married recently and I think his wife hadn’t quite settled either.
“I think English rugby and the club wasn’t quite what he expected to be and he was very open and honest about it and said he didn’t feel he was playing to his potential because wrapping it up, he was just homesick. He had no interest to go another club, he only wanted to go home, and he asked if he could look for opportunities in South Africa, which he did.
“The truth is we don’t want an unhappy player bumping around who wants to get away. We realise he was missing home and his family and now he’s picked up this offer from the Stormers, so we’ve released him with immediate effect to take up that contract.”
With Salmaan Moerat, Ernst van Rhyn and Adre Smith currently injured, and Marvin Orie among the Springboks who will take a break in February, Van Heerden will provide valuable cover for the Stormers at second row.
John Dobson said that he and the rest of the squad are looking forward to welcoming Van Heerden to Cape Town.
“Ruben is a lock with a solid pedigree, who has certainly made life quite difficult for our team in the past and will play an important role for us in the second half of a demanding season.
“We have seen quite a few success stories here with players like Hacjivah Dayimani, Junior Pokomela, Willie Engelbrecht and Stefan Ungerer all arriving initially on short-term deals before signing on more permanently and we are hopeful that Ruben will have a similar experience,” he said.
Van Heerden said that he cannot wait to get integrated into the Stormers squad.
“The success that the team has had recently speaks for itself and this seems like a really positive environment in which to play rugby.
“I am looking forward to connecting with my new teammates and adding value wherever I can,” he said.
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