Stormers bolster lock stocks with big signing

The Stormers have confirmed the signing of experienced lock Ruben van Heerden with immediate effect.

The 25-year-old South African joins the Stormers squad on a short-term contract, having represented the Exeter Chiefs for the first half of the season.

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A lock with the ability to play in both positions in the second row, Van Heerden joins the Stormers, with a view to signing a longer contract in the future.

Given injuries to the likes of Salmaan Moerat, Adre Smith, Ernst van Rhyn and Gary Porter and the fact that Marvin Orie will be rested soon in line with the Springbok management plan, Van Heerden’s arrival comes at the perfect time.

Stormers coach John Dobson says 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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EXETER CHIEFS BID NEW STORMERS MAN VAN HEERDEN FAREWELL

The English club also confirmed Van Heerden’s immediate departure on Friday, with the team’s director of rugby Rob Baxter saying the player had requested an early released from his contract because he hadn’t quite settled into life in England.

“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 Van Heerden 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 Van Heerden 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.”