Premiership
Chiefs announce another departure
By Mark Stevens
20/1/23
Exeter Chiefs can confirm that Ruben van Heerden has today left the Gallagher Premiership club with immediate effect.
The 25-year-old lock forward, who signed for the Chiefs last summer from the Sharks, is heading back to South Africa to take up a contract offer with the DHL Stormers.
Van Heerden featured in 14 appearances for the Chiefs this season, scoring five tries in total.
Commenting on the news, Chiefs’ Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, said: “Obviously, it’s a tough decision for everyone involved. Ruben came and saw me a week or so ago and said he felt he hadn’t quite fitted in how he liked too. He also got married recently and I think his wife hadn’t quite settled either.
“I think English rugby and the club wasn’t quite what he expected to be and he was very open and honest about it and said he didn’t feel he was playing to his potential because wrapping it up, he was just homesick. He had no interest to go another club, he only wanted to go home, and he asked if he could look for opportunities in South Africa, which he did.
“The truth is we don’t want an unhappy player bumping around who wants to get away. We realise he was missing home and his family and now he’s picked up this offer from the Stormers, so we’ve released him with immediate effect to take up that contract.”
Baxter says the search for a potential replacement for van Heerden has already begun, although he is more than happy to progress down the line with other within the current Chiefs squad.
“We’ll look at the market short-term to see what is out there, but we’ve also got guys coming through here at the club and we will look to utilise them,” added Baxter. “Lewis Pearson has really stepped up this year, Joe Bailey is someone people won’t have seen a huge amount of, but he’s training very well. Also, Alfie Bell is going to be fit soon, Aidan Davis has played a lot at lock, we’ve got Jannes Kirsten back now as well and Jacques Vermeulen is not too far away either, so the back five is starting to thicken out.
“As I said, things like this happen sometimes during the course of the season. We wish Ruben all the best for the future and thank him for his efforts.”
Content & Images from – Exeter Chiefs Rugby
Sale Sharks have agreed a deal to sign Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu from French Top14 side Toulon.
The explosive centre, who starred for his country during the recent World Cup, has signed a one-year contract with an option for a further year.
He will join up with Alex Sanderson’s Sharks squad ahead of the start of the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season.
Waisea, 33, said: “I’ve watched the Premiership for a long time and it’s always been in the back of my mind that I would love to play there one day and experience rugby in England.
“Now that opportunity has arrived and I’m really, really happy and grateful. I’m so excited to get over there and join the boys and see how I can contribute to the team.
“I have spoken to Telusa Veainu and he only has positive things to say about the club and about Manchester.
“I’m looking forward to playing with some of the guys I’ve played against, like Tom Curry and George Ford. But I also know there are a lot of really talented young players in the Sale Sharks squad and I’m excited to share my experience and help them develop as much as I can.
“I told Alex that it’s what I’ve been doing for the last few years of my career and it’s something I’m passionate about.”
Nayacalevu, who stands at 6’4” and weighs in at 16st 7lb, spent ten years at Top14 side Stade Français before making the switch to Toulon in 2022.
He has won 34 caps for Fiji, slotting in at both centre and on the wing, and captained his country at last year’s World Cup, where the Pacific Islanders made the quarter-finals, losing 30-24 to England in Marseille.
He also famously scored for Fiji in their memorable pre-World Cup win against England at Twickenham.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
Phil Brantingham to join Saracens
Prop-forward Phil Brantingham will leave Newcastle Falcons in the summer to join Saracens.
The 22-year-old has played 25 games for his home town club, and leaves with the thanks and best wishes of everyone at the Falcons.
Chairman of rugby Matt Thompson said: “Phil has done well for us and we made him a good offer to stay here.
“We respect his decision and wish him all the best for his move in the summer, but between now and then he will be fully committed to finishing the season strongly for Newcastle Falcons.”
Source – Newcastle Falcons Rugby
Sale Sharks can confirm that forward Cobus Wiese will leave the club at the end of the season to return to South Africa.
The 26-year-old lock has played almost 80 games for the club and scored five tries since joining from the DHL Stormers ahead of the 2020/21 season.
He played a key role last year as Sale reached the Premiership final, and this season he has featured a further 13 times for Alex Sanderson’s side.
Alex said: “Cobus will be missed by all of us on so many levels. He’s the most polite and courteous of people off the field, but the most wildly excitable man on the field, and on a night out.
“To say Cobus wears his heart on his sleeve is to do him a disservice with regards to his emotional commitment for which his body has paid the price on occasion.
“He leads by example and has earnt the respect and adoration of the group both on a professional and a personal level. We wish him every success and happiness with his move back home.”
Everyone at Sale Sharks would like to thank Cobus for his contribution to the club and the team during his time here and we wish him all the very best for the future.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
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