Gerhard van den Heever

Summary

Gerhard Jacobus van den Heever (born 13 April 1989) is a South African-born Japanese rugby union player for the Sunwolves in Super Rugby and Kubota Spears in the Top League. His regular playing position is as a wing.

Gerhard van den Heever
Full nameGerhard Jacobus van den Heever
Date of birth (1989-04-13) 13 April 1989 (age 34)
Place of birthBloemfontein, South Africa
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight105 kg (16.5 st; 231 lb)
SchoolAfrikaanse Hoër Seunskool
UniversityUniversity of Pretoria
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Current team Kubota Spears
Youth career
2005–2010 Blue Bulls
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–2011 Bulls 31 (60)
2009–2011 Blue Bulls 41 (95)
2012–2013 Stormers 26 (10)
2012–2013 Western Province 24 (15)
2013–2016 Munster 29 (30)
2016–2018 Yamaha Júbilo 22 (203)
2018–2019 Sunwolves 18 (35)
2018–present Kubota Spears 16 (110)
Correct as of 21 February 2021
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009 South Africa Under-20 4 (15)
Correct as of 7 June 2018

Education edit

Van den Heever attended Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Afrikaans High School for Boys, known as Affies), in Pretoria — a school that produced several sports stars such as Bulls players Derick Kuun, Pierre Spies and Jacques-Louis Potgieter and Titans cricketers AB de Villiers, Heino Kuhn and Faf du Plessis. He played in the University Seven's Rugby World Championships for the University of Pretoria.[1]

Bulls edit

In early 2010, Van den Heever inherited Bryan Habana's number 11 shirt in the Bulls team after Habana's departure for the Stormers; Van den Heever is said to be even quicker than Habana.[2][3]

Stormers edit

On 24 October 2011, Van den Heever left the Bulls to join the Stormers and Western Province.[4]

Munster edit

Van den Heever agreed to join Irish side Munster on a two-year contract after the 2013 Currie Cup Premier Division.[5] He arrived in Cork to join up with Munster on 5 November 2013.[6] He made his debut for Munster on 29 November 2013, starting against Newport Gwent Dragons in the Pro12, but sustained a broken bone in his hand during the game.[7][8][9] Van den Heever scored his first try for Munster in their 54–13 win against Cardiff Blues on 8 February 2014.[10] He was added to Munster's 2013–14 Heineken Cup squad on 20 March 2014.[11] He made his Heineken Cup debut on 5 April 2014, coming on against Toulouse in Munster's quarter-final. In May 2016, it was announced that Van den Heever would be leaving Munster.[12]

Yamaha Júbilo edit

After leaving Munster, Van den Heever played for Japanese Top League side Yamaha Júbilo from 2016 to early 2018.[13]

Achievements edit

References edit

  1. ^ http://web.up.ac.za/default.asp?ipkCategoryID=9524&language=1 Archived 30 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine .A. Students Seven's Rugby Team flush with TuksRugby players. Retrieved 25 June 2011
  2. ^ Bulls News[dead link]
  3. ^ Gerhard van Heever Bulls.co.za[dead link]
  4. ^ "Van den Heever signs for WP". News24. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Munster Confirm Van Den Heever Signing". munsterrugby.ie. 22 July 2013. Archived from the original on 28 July 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  6. ^ "Van Den Heever Arrives". munsterrugby.ie. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  7. ^ "O'Connell Starts As Van Den Heever Makes Debut". munsterrugby.ie. 28 November 2013. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
  8. ^ "Munster Win Hard Fought Battle". munsterrugby.ie. 29 November 2013. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  9. ^ "Sherry Faces Lengthy Spell on Sidelines". munsterrugby.ie. 6 December 2013. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  10. ^ "Six-Try Munster Outmuscle Cardiff". munsterrugby.ie. 8 February 2014. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  11. ^ "Trio Nominated For Heineken Cup Squad". munsterrugby.ie. 20 March 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  12. ^ "Departing Players". munsterrugby.ie. 10 May 2016. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  13. ^ 2016年度 追加入団選手のお知らせ [2016 fiscal year – joined players (additional)] (Press release). Yamaha Júbilo. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.

External links edit

  • Munster Profile
  • "SA Rugby Player Profile – Gerhard van den Heever". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  • Stormers Profile
  • Western Province Profile
  • Pro12 Profile
  • itsrugby.co.uk Profile