Sharks lock Emile van Heerden has grown as a player and a leader in a standout URC season for the struggling side, with his tireless efforts earning the praise of coach JP Pietersen and the Player of the Season award.
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While Siya Kolisi’s farewell and the emergence of the Sharks’ young backline have dominated attention ahead of Saturday’s United Rugby Championship finale against Zebre Parma, lock Emile van Heerden’s rise has quietly become one of the Durban side’s biggest success stories this season.
The 25-year-old second-rower was recently named the Sharks' Player of the Year after establishing himself as one of the side’s most consistent performers during a difficult, injury-hit campaign.
Coach JP Pietersen believes the award was fully deserved, praising Van Heerden’s relentless work ethic and the amount of “unseen work” he puts in every week.
“Emile has been outstanding,” Pietersen said ahead of the Kings Park clash. “He operates in the lineouts, stealing lineout balls and he’s good around the field. He makes a million tackles nobody sees.”
Van Heerden’s influence became especially important during the prolonged absence of Springbok enforcer Eben Etzebeth, who missed large portions of the season through suspension and injury, while regular lock partner Jason Jenkins also spent time sidelined.
With the Sharks frequently forced into changes up front, Van Heerden emerged as a dependable figure in the engine room, bringing physicality, lineout stability and consistency at a time when the side desperately needed it.
Pietersen said the former Junior Springbok’s value to the squad extends well beyond matchday performances.
“His work rate is unreal and his body is bruised, but he keeps pitching up week in and week out,” the coach said. “He drives standards and the boys love him. He deserves the award.”
Although the Sharks endured an inconsistent URC campaign, Van Heerden’s rise has provided a major positive for Pietersen and his coaching staff heading into next season.
His importance has grown even further in recent weeks as the Sharks introduced more young players into the backline, placing extra responsibility on the forwards to provide stability and momentum.
Pietersen has repeatedly stressed the need for forward dominance to help settle the inexperienced backs, and Van Heerden has become central to that effort through his defensive consistency and set-piece work.
While bigger names often attract the headlines at the Sharks, Van Heerden’s Player of the Year award underlines just how highly he is valued in the squad, and how important he could become to the franchise.