A powerful member of the Stormers pack has joined the Barbarians squad to face the world champion Springboks in Cape Town on Saturday.
The invitational side has secured lock Ruben van Heerden’s services for the once-off clash at Cape Town Stadium.
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Pictured in Baa Baas kit at training in the Mother City, Van Heerden recently earned recognition as the Vodacom URC’s Tackle Machine after recording a league-leading 98% tackle success rate from 171 attempts during the regular season.
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The 27-year-old has attended several Bok alignment camps, but remains uncapped and was overlooked for the national squad named by Rassie Erasmus to face the Baa Baas, Italy and Georgia in the Republic over the coming weeks.
He links up with a star-studded group, under the guidance of former Wallabies and Crusaders head coach Robbie Deans, that includes Ireland legends Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray and Cian Healy as well as All Blacks Mark Telea, Hoskins Sotutu, Shannon Frizell and Sam Cane.
Photo: Wessel Oosthuizen/Gallo Images
