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Pretoria – There were times last year when Gerhard van den Heever felt like he was in a dream world while playing for the Bulls and Blue Bulls.
This year, however, it’s a different story and the 20-year-old wing is eager to make a difference in every match he plays.
“There were times last year when it felt as if I was not on the field,” Van den Heever said before Saturday’s Super 14 match against the Western Force in Perth.
“Things were sometimes surreal, but this year I’m feeling comfortable in the team and have enough confidence to make a difference in every game,” he told Sport24.
The wing has scored four tries this year and last weekend’s game against the Hurricanes was the only one in which he did not touch down. He did get over the line, but was held up.
“I was angry with myself. I am in the team to score tries first and foremost. That is my job and I’m always dissatisfied if I don’t succeed,” he said.
Van den Heever made his Super 14 debut against the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld last year and immediately won over supporters by tackling Luke Watson without the ball.
This year he again had the Loftus faithful on their feet, but with the ball tucked under his arm when he ran 70m to score a spectacular try against the Highlanders.
“It helps with confidence if something like that happens. I would like to do that again in future,” he said.
“It was good, but I also moved out of the defensive pattern in that game and they scored a try. It was not a good feeling. I realise that I lose concentration on defence from time to time and am working very hard at not repeating my mistakes.”
Van den Heever no longer feels intimidated about playing for the Bulls.
“I toured overseas with the Bulls last year already, so I know what to expect. We will have to be at our best in every game. The Force will throw everything they have at us,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has announced his team and there is only one change to the team that beat the Hurricanes.
Jaco Pretorius is fit again and replaces Stephan Dippenaar at outside centre.
“It’s nice to have Jaco back because he gives us plenty of options, especially on attack. Stephan used his chances well, but Jaco is the senior player,” said Ludeke.
Fourie du Preez’s ankle has recovered sufficiently for the scrumhalf to be able to play his 91st game.
The Bulls arrived in Perth on Wednesday, with the big news there that Force coach John Mitchell will not be renewing his contract after seven years at the helm.
The Bulls team (with Super14 caps in brackets) is:
Zane Kirchner (31), Gerhard van den Heever (9), Jaco Pretorius (22), Wynand Olivier (62), Francois Hougaard (8), Morné Steyn (63), Fourie du Preez (90), Pierre Spies (46), Dewald Potgieter (22), Deon Stegmann (30), Victor Matfield (100), Danie Rossouw (93), Werner Kruger (33), Gary Botha (64), Gurthrö Steenkamp (56). Substitutes: Bandise Maku (12), Bees Roux (21), Flip van der Merwe (11), Derick Kuün (47), Jacques-Louis Potgieter (22), Jaco van der Westhuyzen (48), Pedrie Wannenburg (103).
Pretoria – There were times last year when Gerhard van den Heever felt like he was in a dream world while playing for the Bulls and Blue Bulls.
This year, however, it’s a different story and the 20-year-old wing is eager to make a difference in every match he plays.
“There were times last year when it felt as if I was not on the field,” Van den Heever said before Saturday’s Super 14 match against the Western Force in Perth.
“Things were sometimes surreal, but this year I’m feeling comfortable in the team and have enough confidence to make a difference in every game,” he told Sport24.
The wing has scored four tries this year and last weekend’s game against the Hurricanes was the only one in which he did not touch down. He did get over the line, but was held up.
“I was angry with myself. I am in the team to score tries first and foremost. That is my job and I’m always dissatisfied if I don’t succeed,” he said.
Van den Heever made his Super 14 debut against the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld last year and immediately won over supporters by tackling Luke Watson without the ball.
This year he again had the Loftus faithful on their feet, but with the ball tucked under his arm when he ran 70m to score a spectacular try against the Highlanders.
“It helps with confidence if something like that happens. I would like to do that again in future,” he said.
“It was good, but I also moved out of the defensive pattern in that game and they scored a try. It was not a good feeling. I realise that I lose concentration on defence from time to time and am working very hard at not repeating my mistakes.”
Van den Heever no longer feels intimidated about playing for the Bulls.
“I toured overseas with the Bulls last year already, so I know what to expect. We will have to be at our best in every game. The Force will throw everything they have at us,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has announced his team and there is only one change to the team that beat the Hurricanes.
Jaco Pretorius is fit again and replaces Stephan Dippenaar at outside centre.
“It’s nice to have Jaco back because he gives us plenty of options, especially on attack. Stephan used his chances well, but Jaco is the senior player,” said Ludeke.
Fourie du Preez’s ankle has recovered sufficiently for the scrumhalf to be able to play his 91st game.
The Bulls arrived in Perth on Wednesday, with the big news there that Force coach John Mitchell will not be renewing his contract after seven years at the helm.
The Bulls team (with Super14 caps in brackets) is:
Zane Kirchner (31), Gerhard van den Heever (9), Jaco Pretorius (22), Wynand Olivier (62), Francois Hougaard (8), Morné Steyn (63), Fourie du Preez (90), Pierre Spies (46), Dewald Potgieter (22), Deon Stegmann (30), Victor Matfield (100), Danie Rossouw (93), Werner Kruger (33), Gary Botha (64), Gurthrö Steenkamp (56). Substitutes: Bandise Maku (12), Bees Roux (21), Flip van der Merwe (11), Derick Kuün (47), Jacques-Louis Potgieter (22), Jaco van der Westhuyzen (48), Pedrie Wannenburg (103).
