MUNSTER rugby have announced their second new signing of the season.
South African winger Gerhard van den Heever has committed his future to Munster Rugby for the next two years and he will join the province in November after his Currie Cup duties have completed.
For the last two seasons the 24-year-old has played Super XV rugby with the Stormers (26 appearances), and in 2012 he claimed a Currie Cup title with his provincial side Western Province. He has a total of 57 Super Rugby caps to his name having previously played with the Bulls from 2009 to 2011, in which time he enjoyed both Super Rugby and Currie Cup success.
Van den Heever will join Andrew Conway, formerly of Leinster, as the new recruits in Rob Penney’s camp this season.
Commenting on the signing, Munster Rugby’s head coach Rob Penney added,
“Gerhard is a young guy that is capable of playing in multiple positions and he has committed to Munster for two years so he has an opportunity to build in becoming a Munster man just like BJ Botha and CJ Stander before him.
He is a wing, centre and fullback with a lovely kick and is exceptionally fast so he should be a great addition to the squad. We are very happy to have him coming to us and I know they are disappointed to see him go from the Stormers.”
New signing Gerhard van den Heever added, “I am looking forward to joining Munster and I am humbled by the trust shown in my character and ability to be granted the honour of becoming part of the Munster way of life. I will work diligently to justify the faith put in me and I will do my utmost to make a purposeful impact at the club every day. For now I will focus on playing my part to assist Western Province in defending the Currie Cup title.”
With the Non Irish Qualified player ruling coming into effect this season, Munster’s hands were tied in relation to recruitment.
With the positions of scrum half, out half, centres, full back and one wing already filled by Munster and the other three provinces, this signing might just be Munster’s last foray into the transfer market.
There is still some chance of new additions however, as special dispensations can be granted by the IRFU should Munster need cover in a particular position.
The red army will kick off their new season with a friendly against Gloucester on August 24.
