That it hasn’t taken long for Ruben van Heerden to settle at the DHL Stormers and make Cape Town a more long-term home is a testament to the culture at the franchise that has been created by coach John Dobson.
The 25-year-old former Cell C Sharks and Exeter Chiefs lock dodged the question when he was asked if he’d be turning his current short-term contract with the Stormers into a long-term one. But only protocol forced him to do that. It is understood that a four-year deal is in the pipeline, if not already signed and sealed, and it is no coincidence that the time period matches that of Dobson’s recent extension to his contract as Stormers coach.
In any event, Van Heerden didn’t leave people wondering about what he wants to do going forward.
“I would love to stay here and for a long time,” said Van Heerden.
The second row forward says that he was surprised at how welcome he was made to feel by the rest of the Stormers camp when he flew in to join them soon after his short-term contract was announced while they were in Belfast preparing for their game against Ulster.
“I had heard from the outside about the Stormers environment and how great it was but seeing is believing,” he said.
“It has been brilliant and I have loved every moment of being involved with the Stormers. I was surprised in a good way as everyone is really welcoming and very nice. It was easy to fit in as there is a great culture here. I could see immediately that it was a group and a team I want to be part of.”
Dobson recently told the media that in his view Van Heerden should be a Springbok, and the player used that as an example of why the Stormers coach is someone his team would “go above and beyond” for.
“It was great to hear the coach speak of me as a Bok as it is always nice to have positive motivation. It makes me want to give more, to give him 10 times more, to go above and beyond in delivering for him, and I am sure the rest of the team feel the same way. What a player wants is a coach who backs him. A lot of coaches will say it to you personally, but few do it publicly, and when they do that it is great motivation.”
Experiencing the culture for himself has given Van Heerden an insight into why so many players who were seen as average elsewhere have flourished at the Stormers.
“It has been very interesting to see players coming in and flourishing, and it was noticeable when looking from outside, but now that I am here I can understand why it is,” said Van Heerden.
“The environment is special. I used to hear about it but once you are in it, you can feel it. There are no egos in the team and everyone gets along. There is a blend of experience and younger guys and older guys. It is hard to explain but everything just gels. In this environment you can’t not flourish.
“As I was saying earlier, having coaches that back you as they do, who are upfront and honest like they are, makes you want to give your best and makes you want to go beyond the call of duty. A happy player is a good player and everyone is happy in the environment. All the credit for that must go to the coaching team. Keeping a squad of 50 players happy is a tough task but they appear to be doing it. If a player is happy he will play his best rugby.”