Ruben van Heerden has emerged as one of South Africa’s most formidable rugby union players, establishing himself as a defensive powerhouse and key figure in the lock position. Born on October 27, 1997, in Alberton, South Africa, the 27-year-old stands at an imposing 2.00 meters (6 feet 7 inches) tall and weighs 121 kilograms, making him a commanding presence on the rugby field.
Early Career and Development
Van Heerden’s rugby journey began during his formative years at Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria, where he developed his passion for the sport. His talent was quickly recognized, leading to a successful youth career with the Blue Bulls from 2013 to 2018. This extended period with the Bulls academy allowed him to refine his technical skills and gain invaluable experience competing at increasingly competitive levels.
In 2016, Van Heerden made his first-class debut, demonstrating his readiness to compete at professional level. The following year marked another significant milestone when he was selected for the Bulls Super Rugby squad, showcasing his rapid ascension through the rugby ranks.
International Recognition and Career Progression
A pivotal moment in Van Heerden’s early career came in 2017 when he was included in the South African squad for the Junior World Cup. This experience provided him with a valuable platform to test his abilities against the world’s best young rugby talents, contributing significantly to his development as a player.
In September 2018, Van Heerden made a strategic career move by signing a three-year contract with the Sharks, the Durban-based franchise. His time with the Sharks saw him compete in both Super Rugby and the Currie Cup, where he quickly established himself as a regular starter and demonstrated his versatility across multiple competitions.
Current Success with the Stormers
Van Heerden currently plays for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship (URC), where he has found renewed purpose and achieved remarkable success. Having previously played abroad for the Exeter Chiefs in England, Van Heerden describes his time at the Stormers as a period of rediscovery and development, stating that he has “really enjoyed his rugby again” since joining the Cape Town-based franchise.
Outstanding Achievements and Recognition
Van Heerden’s most significant individual achievement came during the 2024/25 URC season when he was named the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Tackle Machine, having made 171 tackles at an exceptional 98% success rate. This outstanding performance edged out strong competition from Glasgow Warriors’ Rory Darge (160 tackles, 97% accuracy) and Sharks’ Phepsi Buthelezi (157 tackles, 96.82% accuracy).
The award came as a surprise to Van Heerden himself, who admitted he “wasn’t tracking the stats this season” and only discovered his impressive percentage when receiving the accolade. His defensive prowess has become a defining characteristic of his playing style, with Van Heerden emphasizing that “defence is a part of the game where you can see someone putting their heart into what they are doing and where character is shown”.
Playing Style and Personal Philosophy
As a lock forward, Van Heerden brings exceptional physicality, athleticism, and work ethic to his game. His defensive philosophy centers on the belief that “character is revealed in defence,” and he maintains that while “perfection is impossible,” he always strives “to be as close to perfect as possible” and never wants “to let his team down”.
His reputation as a defensive specialist has earned recognition even from Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus, who acknowledged Van Heerden’s abilities by stating “he tackles like a machine” when discussing his selection for the Barbarians squad.
Future Prospects
Van Heerden’s success is deeply rooted in his unwavering faith and dedication to excellence, qualities that continue to drive his performance at the highest level. While he remains uncapped at Test level, his consistent performances and recent accolades have positioned him as a strong candidate for future Springboks selection, with his Barbarians appearance providing an opportunity to showcase his abilities against world-class opposition.
With his combination of physical attributes, technical skills, and unwavering commitment to defensive excellence, Ruben van Heerden continues to establish himself as one of South African rugby’s most reliable and impactful forwards.
