DHL Stormers coach John Dobson has been forced to make a new second row plan for his team’s Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 clash with Harlequins in Cape Town at the weekend but he’s confident that it will work.
Van Heerden, the 25-year-old second-row forward who was recruited from Exeter Chiefs on a short term deal to cover lock in an emergency for the Stormers two months ago, is not eligible for the Stormers on Saturday as he is cup tied. He played for the Chiefs against both Castres and the Vodacom Bulls earlier in the season so he’s not eligible to represent the Stormers in the European competition.
“We knew that when we signed him on what was initially a short term deal but now has become a long term deal,” said Dobson.
“An exception is made for a franchise or union that is in financial distress, but Ruben does not qualify on that count and will not play for us in the Champions Cup.”
Fortunately for Dobson, the lock crisis that prompted the SOS to Van Heerden back at the end of January has been eased somewhat, with Ernst van Rhyn now over the injury that sidelined him for a few months and Adre Smith also expected back in the mix quicker than anticipated. And with Gary Porter also over his rib injury and back in action, while Conor Evans has done well at Currie Cup level, Dobson does have options.
He left little doubt though that former national age-group captain Van Rhyn, a highly respected player by both teammates and opponents though not always rated by the pundits, will be the man who will slot in for Van Heerden on Saturday, with Porter likely to be providing cover from the bench.
“Ernst has been playing exceptionally. He is one of our most underrated players,” Dobson said. “Ruben is brilliant, but in the context of what Ernst is going to bring, it's not a massive blow and Ernst should fit in quite seamlessly.”
Fortunately for Dobson the Springbok resting protocols are now done and dusted and he will be expecting a lot from Marvin Orie as Van Rhyn’s partner against Harlequins, and he also has a high regard for Porter, who although he has struggled with injury on occasion this season has shown massive potential when he has played.