Vodacom Super 14
Habana 'not indispensable'
2010-03-15 08:28
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Gerhard van den Heever (Gallo)
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J.J. HarmsePretoria – Bryan Habana is not irreplaceable after all.
The question whether the Springbok wing can be replaced at the Bulls was answered emphatically in the right-hand corner of the eastern pavilion in front of a crowd of 34,000 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
A Highlanders attack was stopped close to the Bulls’ line. Danie Rossouw then fed Gerhard van den Heever and it was all over.
The 21-year-old wing first cut inside and then outside the Highlanders, who now know what it feels like to chase shadows.
The run of 70 to 80m was delightful and the statement made by it undisputable. Yes, the Bulls lost a big one, but in Van den Heever they have unearthed another special talent.
It is almost fitting that two of the most insightful things that have happened with South African rugby in recent years – the @tlantic Sevens Series and Varsity Cup – can claim Van den Heever as one of their products.
He did special things at that level and is busy repeating them at Super 14 level.
Bulls star Pierre Spies said that it was encouraging that their younger players were excelling.
“Yes, it was nice to see Shadow (Van den Heever) run like that,” said Spies, who himself scored two tries in the Bulls’ 50-35 win.