Martin van der Heever

Martinus Jacobus van der Heever (born 20 November 1990 in Bloemfontein, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player.[1] His regular position is hooker.

Martin van der Heever

Full name	Martinus Jacobus van der Heever
Date of birth	20 November 1990
Place of birth	Bloemfontein, South Africa
Height	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	115 kg (18 st 2 lb; 254 lb)
School	Hoërskool Jim Fouché, Bloemfontein
University	University of the Free State
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2011 UFS Shimlas 2 (0) Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2012 Free State Cheetahs 0 (0) 2013 Griffons 1 (0) 2013–2014 Toulouse 6 (0) Correct as of 14 January 2015

Career

Youth and Varsity Cup rugby

Born and bred in Bloemfontein, Van der Heever played his high school rugby for Hoërskool Jim Fouché, playing in their first XV in 2007 and 2008, alongside future South African Sevens international Jamba Ulengo.[2]

After finishing high school, Van der Heever attended the University of the Free State. He earned an inclusion in their first team, the UFS Shimlas, in 2010 in club tournaments and also made two appearances for the side during the 2011 Varsity Cup competition.

Free State Cheetahs

Van der Heever was included in the Free State Cheetahs squad for the 2012 Vodacom Cup competition, but he failed to make any appearances for the side.

Griffons

The following year, he joined Welkom-based side Griffons during their 2013 Vodacom Cup campaign. He made his first class debut for the Griffons in March 2013, playing off the bench in their 50–14 victory over the Limpopo Blue Bulls in Polokwane.[3] He was again named on the bench for their match the following week against Griquas, but remained unused for the match.[4]

Toulouse

At the end of August 2013, Van der Heever made the move to France, signing for Top 14 side Toulouse as a medical joker, along with fellow South African prop Schalk Ferreira.[5] He made his debut for the side less than a week after signing for them, playing off the bench in a 30–6 victory over Racing Métro.[6] He made three more appearances off the bench for Toulouse before making his first start in their 20–16 defeat to Perpignan. A last-minute substitute appearance followed in their next match against Stade Français, his final appearance for the side.

He signed a one-year youth contract with the side,[7] but failed to break into the first team.

Return to Free State Cheetahs

In January 2015, Van der Heever had a trial spell with Port Elizabeth-based side the Eastern Province Kings prior to the 2015 season.[8] However, he did not receive a contract and instead returned to Bloemfontein to join the Free State Cheetahs.[9]

References

1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Martin van der Heever". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
2. "JF baie taai teen Gautengers". Volksblad (in Afrikaans). 7 May 2007. Archived from the original on 14 January 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
3. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Assupol Limpopo Blue Bulls 14-50 Down Touch Griffons". South African Rugby Union. 9 March 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
4. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Down Touch Griffons 12-26 GWK Griquas". South African Rugby Union. 16 March 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
5. "Stade toulousain: Arrivée de deux joueurs". Midi Olympique (in French). RugbyRama. 31 August 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
6. "Player statistics – club stats – Top 14 2013". It's Rugby. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
7. "Le Journal du Rugby N°37 octobre 2013". Le Journal du Rugby (in French). 1001 Mags. October 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
8. "Young stars out to impress Kings". Herald Live. 14 January 2015. Archived from the original on 14 January 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
9. "Van der Heever word 'n Cheetah". Volksblad (in Afrikaans). 24 January 2015. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.