‘You learn something from someone every day and it doesn’t even have to be position-specific’

JF van Heerden, the 22-year-old Bulls lock, says he has learnt valuable lessons from franchise Springbok teammates and understands he needs more experience to be a genuine contender for the lock position in Rassie Erasmus’ national team.

Gone are the days when Van Heerden was only a prospect in professional rugby. The 22-year-old has come a long way since signing his first senior contract with the Bulls two years ago.

Van Heerden started in this season’s opening round of the Champions Cup, a move that painted a vivid picture of just how far he has progressed within a highly competitive Bulls squad.

His development as a professional rugby player has also been accelerated by his teammates at the Bulls. After all, Van Heerden is learning from some of the back-to-back Rugby World Cup-winning Bok players, including flyhalf Handré Pollard.

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Times, the 22-year-old spoke candidly about the influence his teammates have had on him, mentioning the likes of Cameron Hanekom alongside the Bok players as influential figures in his career.

“You have guys that are in the Springboks setup; they bring a different point of view back to Loftus when they come back from the Boks,” Van Heerden said.

“A guy like Cameron [Hanekom], me and him work together a lot. He obviously knows the game well and understands rugby well. So I enjoy being in his presence.

“You learn something from someone every day and it doesn’t even have to be position-specific. I mean, even from guys like Willie [le Roux, utility back] and Handré, just on how to see the game and look at it in different ways.

“The biggest thing any of those guys would tell you on attack and defence is to look up. I think a lot of young guys, and I’m talking about myself as well here, tend to get caught up with the ball and where the ball is and going after the ball and being with the ruck and all of those things.

“I think that makes a big difference — that I learned, especially from Willie, just to look up and be aware of what is in front of you instead of just where the ball is.”

Across the sporting codes, there are few things as exciting as seeing a young player showing signs of readiness for the international scene. As a result, at times, young players’ careers tend to be ruined by being fast-tracked into the Springboks.

I think it’s stuff that comes with game time and being in situations and positions where you need to make decisions like that.

—  JF van Heerden

However, in Van Heerden’s case, though he has a burning desire to play for the Boks he understands he still has a lot to learn before he makes the step up to international rugby.

“When those guys [the Bok selectors] feel you play well enough to be there, that call will hopefully come. For me, I wouldn’t put a timeline on anything. I think I’m learning a lot and I’m still growing as a player,” said Van Heerden.

“So hopefully, for me, I’m getting better every game, every season and every day. I’m just going after it, and hopefully the work pays off eventually.

“But I do think there is still a lot that I can to improve on as a lock to get there. But, I mean, I think it’s stuff that comes with game time and being in situations and positions where you need to make decisions like that.”

The youngster did not feature in Bulls’ 34-26 victory over Ulster at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday as he was not included in the match-day 23.

However, with the Bulls having sustained major blows against Ulster to Sango Xamlashe, Cheswill Jooste and Pollard, changes will be made, and the youngster is sure to get game time at some stage. He is raring to go for that chance and to make an impression when it comes.