Ruben van Heerden

Ruben van Heerden, born on 27 October 1997, is a South African lock who joined the Stormers in 2022 after a productive spell with the Sharks. A hard-edged enforcer in the second row, he is valued for his lineout work, set-piece reliability and relentless work rate in the tight five. Van Heerden's game is built on physicality at the collision, strong scrummaging support and the technical aerial skills required of a modern lock. He competes for opposition lineout ball, anchors his own throws and brings the kind of grit that South African forward play demands. At the Stormers he has added important depth and competition to a squad accustomed to challenging at the top of the United Rugby Championship, having lifted the title in 2022. His combination of professionalism, physicality and willingness to do the unseen work makes him a trusted member of the Cape Town pack and a strong contributor to the franchise's continued success.