Ruben van Heerden

Biography

Ruben van Heerden is a 2 m lock who waited a long time for his Test chance. Born in Alberton on 27 October 1997 and educated at Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool, he played for SA Schools, the Junior Springboks and SA A as a youngster. He then spent his career behind some of the finest locks in the world.

He played for the Bulls, the Sharks and Exeter Chiefs before joining the Stormers in 2022, where he became a cornerstone of the pack. He won his first cap at 28 in the 43–0 win over Wales in Durban in 2026.