Ruben van Heerden eager to make the most of 'big privilege' on Bok debut

By SABC Sport
16th July 2026

Lock Ruben van Heerden is champing at the bit ahead of making his Springbok debut against Wales in the Nations Championship on Saturday.

The Test, which is the Boks' final home match in the inaugural Nations Championship, kicks off at 17:40 at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.

The towering lock, who carved his path from the SA U18 team to the Junior Springboks between 2015 and 2017, and ran out for the SA 'A' team against Zimbabwe in Gqeberha a few weeks ago, said he was still in awe after being named in the team.

"I don't really know how to describe it," said van Heerden.

"It's been a whirlwind of a ride since I got the call to join the Springboks. At this stage, I'm not really too nervous, although perhaps the nerves will come, but I'm very excited for Saturday.

"Everyone walks a different path and has a different journey, so I'm trying not to overthink anything. I'm just grateful for the opportunity and hoping to make the most of it when it comes."

Of the journey to get to this point, van Heerden said he never thought making his Bok debut would be out of reach.

"It has probably always been more of a goal," he said.

"As Malcolm [Marx] said, it's a big privilege, so it's a matter of trying to do your best and control the controllables. If it happens, it happens, and in this case, it's happening for me now, and I'm very grateful for it."

With van Heerden making his Test debut alongside Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), Carlu Sadie (prop), and Jaco Williams (wing) in a match-23 featuring several double Rugby World Cup winners, he said it brought a sense of calm and excitement to the occasion.

"It's exciting playing alongside some of the double World Cup winners, and then having three other guys making their debuts as well," he said.

"You know you're not the only one, which is comforting. When I'm on the field on Saturday, and I look around me and see someone in the same position as I'm in, and at the same time get to draw inspiration from guys who have been there and done it, it makes it an occasion to look forward to."

The Springboks will wrap up their training for the match on Friday at their captains' run after having Thursday off to rest and get ready for the encounter.