Former Springbok No 8 Warren Whiteley believes Emile van Heerden’s breakout season with the Sharks has put him in Bok contention.
Van Heerden enjoyed a standout Vodacom URC campaign, leading the competition for lineout steals while cementing himself as one of the Sharks’ most important forwards.
The towering lock recently beat out high-profile teammates including André Esterhuizen, Phepsi Buthelezi and Siya Kolisi to claim the Sharks’ Player of the Year award.
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But according to Whiteley, the honour came as no surprise inside the Durban camp.
“He is an incredible leader who has an excellent relationship with everyone in the group. His teammates have the utmost respect for Emile,” Whiteley told Rapport.
The Sharks forwards coach also hailed Van Heerden’s rugby intelligence and set-piece influence.
“His lineout work, and especially his analysis of the opposition, is simply world-class,” he said.
“He plays a huge role as a No 5 lock and leader, with his knowledge and reading of the game invaluable to the team. Emile, together with a guy like André as captain and the flyhalves, is constantly thinking strategically before and during matches. He is excellent in that regard.”
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Whiteley even compared the 25-year-old to Springbok workhorse Franco Mostert and Bulls lock Ruan Nortjé.
“I played a lot with Franco Mostert and recently coached against a lock like Ruan Nortjé. Emile is a similar type of player.”
Whiteley believes a Springbok call-up is not far away for Van Heerden, the son of former Bok flank/lock Fritz.
“He’s close. Emile is a good boy, comes from an incredible family and is definitely a player who can play for the Boks.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
