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Cape Town - Cheetahs and Griquas tighthead prop Maks van Dyk is enjoying a short loan spell at Irish club Leinster before he returns for Super Rugby.
Van Dyk said he took the opportunity because he needed some game time.
"My agent came to me with the loan offer. I decided to take it because the team was busy with off-season training and it would be a while until I got proper game time. I was very excited with the prospect of playing overseas and playing against the front rows in Europe," he told MyPlayers.co.za.
Van Dyk said he learned a lot during his stint in Ireland, where he has spent some time with Zane Kirchner.
"Springbok fullback Zane Kirchner is a good mate, and as a fellow South African, he has taken me under his wing and shown me all the spots around town. He's helped me feel at home. I'm also good friends with Australian lock Kane Douglas, who has an Afrikaans girlfriend, so we have something to relate to!
"I'm learning a lot, especially from a guy like Jamie Heaslip (Irish No 8). The Irish mentality towards the game has given me new perspectives. You also have to be mentally strong to play at an overseas club, where you'll find yourself in a totally new environment, around new people and you have to adapt to a new way of life. Oh, and the Irish guys hate it when you speak Afrikaans because they don't understand it."
Van Dyk also confirmed that he'll return home in time for the Super Rugby competition.
"I will play in a few more games for them before returning to the Cheetahs ahead of the 2015 Super Rugby campaign. I hope this experience will help me attract the national selectors. I do hope to play for an overseas team again one day."
The Cheetahs start their Super Rugby campaign away to the Sharks on February 14.
For more exclusive player content, check out MyPlayers.co.za
Van Dyk said he took the opportunity because he needed some game time.
"My agent came to me with the loan offer. I decided to take it because the team was busy with off-season training and it would be a while until I got proper game time. I was very excited with the prospect of playing overseas and playing against the front rows in Europe," he told MyPlayers.co.za.
Van Dyk said he learned a lot during his stint in Ireland, where he has spent some time with Zane Kirchner.
"Springbok fullback Zane Kirchner is a good mate, and as a fellow South African, he has taken me under his wing and shown me all the spots around town. He's helped me feel at home. I'm also good friends with Australian lock Kane Douglas, who has an Afrikaans girlfriend, so we have something to relate to!
"I'm learning a lot, especially from a guy like Jamie Heaslip (Irish No 8). The Irish mentality towards the game has given me new perspectives. You also have to be mentally strong to play at an overseas club, where you'll find yourself in a totally new environment, around new people and you have to adapt to a new way of life. Oh, and the Irish guys hate it when you speak Afrikaans because they don't understand it."
Van Dyk also confirmed that he'll return home in time for the Super Rugby competition.
"I will play in a few more games for them before returning to the Cheetahs ahead of the 2015 Super Rugby campaign. I hope this experience will help me attract the national selectors. I do hope to play for an overseas team again one day."
The Cheetahs start their Super Rugby campaign away to the Sharks on February 14.
For more exclusive player content, check out MyPlayers.co.za
