Bok flank lands at Sarries
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:50
Fleeting visit: Springbok flank Wikus van Heerden and All Black Chris Jack at training on Tuesday
World Cup-winning Springbok flank and Blue Bulls captain Wikus van Heerden said he was "looking forward" to life with Guinness Premiership side Saracens, after paying the English club a fleeting visit this week.
Van Heerden, who captained the Bulls to a 42-12 win over Griquas last Friday, attended training at Vicarage Road, Watford, on Tuesday.
With the Blue Bulls having a bye this week in the Currie Cup, Van Heerden took advantage of the time off to visit the training centre, meet the players and get a feel for the surroundings and area he will be calling home from November.
And the 29-year-old World Cup-winning back row forward could hardly contain his excitement at the prospect of pulling on a Saracens shirt.
"I made the decision to join in February so it's already been a while and the excitement and anticipation has been growing ever since," explained Van Heerden who has captained the Blue Bulls to the top of the Currie Cup table in South Africa.
"What I've seen in the past few days is making me even more excited and I've been very impressed with the facilities and the structures in place. I thought we were the trend setters at the Blue Bulls in South Africa but it is unbelievable what is in place here in terms of the hands-on approach and personal attention."
Capped 14 times by the Springboks, Van Heerden made six appearances in his country's successful 2007 World Cup campaign, but he decided the time was right to make the move aboard.
"It's always a tough choice when you make that kind of move, especially when you have a young family, and there were a number of reasons," he explained.
"I'm really excited by the challenge here and working with Eddie Jones once again. He had a big influence on me in the World Cup – he's a very honest and straight talking coach and he was one of the major reasons why I signed. I've also got a few friends at the club with guys like Neil de Kock, Brent Russell and Cobus Visagie and I've had terrific support from all of them.
"I'll also get to spend more time at home with the family. Playing in the Super 14 and Tri-Nations rugby means you can be away from home up to six weeks in a row. That's quite exciting as a young player but when you get a young family, your priorities change. Speaking to the guys who are playing over here you realise that not only are they playing top quality rugby, but the move has also made a huge difference on their personal lives so that was another factor.
"And having looked around the team room and seen the experience of calibre of player in the Saracens squad, the chance to further develop my rugby was one that was very difficult to turn down."
Saracens fans won't be seeing Van Heerden in action until November, but he is hoping that he'll be bringing another winners medal with him to London.
"Things are going well in the Currie Cup and after eight games, we're at the top of the competition with six games to go before the finals begin," he added. "I'm excited about playing for Saracens but there is still a job to do at home and nothing would make me happier than come here with a Currie Cup winner's medal."
With thanks to Saracens Rugby
