Pirates

Marc van Heerden during the Absa Premiership match between AmaZulu FC and SuperSport FC at King Zwelithini Stadium on April 24, 2019 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images)

Former Pirates defender joins Premiership new boys

Former Orlando Pirates defender Marc van Heerden has joined Stellenbosch FC as they prepare for their first PSL season.

Pirates

Marc van Heerden during the Absa Premiership match between AmaZulu FC and SuperSport FC at King Zwelithini Stadium on April 24, 2019 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images)

Former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana fullback Marc van Heerden has joined Stellenbosch FC ahead of the club’s maiden Absa Premiership season.

Van Heerden left Pirates at the end of the 2017/18 season after being released by the Sea Robbers and joined Amazulu for the 2018/19 campaign in what was his second stint with Usuthu.

A naturally left-sided player van Heerden favours being deployed at left back but can also operate as a central defender or on the left side of midfield.

From Pirates back to Amazulu

The 31-year-old was released by Amazulu who chose not to extend the veteran defender’s one-year contract. Van Heerden began his career at the University of Pretoria where he rose through the youth department. The fullback then moved to Durban for his first spell at Amazulu, after eight seasons with the KZN club he made the move to Chippa United in 2016.

Possessed of an educated left foot, van Heerden is a solid defensive presence who will give Stellies options from set-pieces.

“Welcome to the Stellies Family, Marc. Marc is an experienced PSL defender & set-piece specialist with over 150 PSL starts. Marc joins #StellenboschFC after playing for AmaZulu FC for many years as well as Orlando Pirates and Chippa United,” said the club on Tuesday.

Stellies determined to stay up

Led by coach Steve Barker the Stellenbosch FC organization are eager to ensure they stay in the Premiership and have been working hard to reinforce their squad in the pre-season.

Stellies have been boxing clever with their signings so far, raiding lower-league and semi-professional sides but they have also brought in players with experience of big-time leagues, like Boy de Jong. The Dutch keeper signed from Anderlecht was unveiled earlier this month. Stellies have reinforced their left side considerably with the addition of van Herden that follows shortly after the acquisition of Amatuks Mexican winger Diego Franco.

The club ended last season on top of the National First Division and are the only new club in next season’s PSL after Maritzburg United escaped the drop by winning the Promotion/relegation playoff.