Gerhard Jacobus van den Heever, born on 13 April 1989, is a rugby union player of South African origin who currently represents Japan. He plays as a wing for the Sunwolves in Super Rugby and the Kubota Spears in the Top League.
Van den Heever attended Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) in Pretoria, South Africa, a renowned school that has produced many sports stars. He showcased his talent by playing in the University Seven's Rugby World Championships for the University of Pretoria.
He began his professional career with the Bulls, inheriting Bryan Habana's number 11 shirt after Habana's departure for the Stormers in early 2010. Known for his exceptional speed, van den Heever made a name for himself during his time with the Bulls, contributing to their Super Rugby triumph in 2010.
In 2011, van den Heever joined the Stormers and Western Province, where he made 26 appearances. His acceleration, speed, and ability in the air earned him the nickname "Shadow" from his former Bulls teammates.
After his stint with the Stormers, van den Heever signed with Irish side Munster in 2013. He made his debut for Munster in November 2013 but suffered a broken bone in his hand during the game. Despite the injury, he went on to score his first try for Munster in February 2014. Van den Heever also represented Munster at 'A' level and participated in the Limerick World Club 7s.
After his time with Munster, van den Heever played for Yamaha Júbilo in the Japanese Top League from 2016 to early 2018. His performances with Yamaha Júbilo caught the attention of the Sunwolves, and he was included in their Super Rugby squad in 2018. He made his debut in Super Rugby in 2019.
In 2018, van den Heever joined the Kubota Spears ahead of the 2018/19 Top League season. Following his standout performances in the 2021 Top League season, he qualified to represent Japan and was named in the Japanese squad by Jamie Joseph in May 2021 for the match against the British and Irish Lions. This marked an important milestone in his career, as he transitioned from South African to Japanese representation.
KG(02/07/2023)
Career
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Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay Fullback |
2018 - present |
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Bulls Fullback |
2009 - 2011 |
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Stormers Left Wing |
2012 - 2013 |
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Western Province Right Wing |
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Munster Rugby Right Wing |
2013 - 2016 |
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Shizuoka Blue Revs Fullback |
2016 - 2017 |
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Sunwolves Right Wing |
2018 - 2021 |
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Japan Right Wing |
2021 - 2023 |
