Montpellier have reportedly set their sights on a Stormers lock to replace Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg.
Janse van Rensburg recently joined the Vodacom Bulls after a long stint in France.
According to reports, Ruben van Heerden has given a verbal commitment to join the French club after the conclusion of the 2025-26 Vodacom URC season.
Van Heerden has been part of the Stormers and Western Province setup since 2022 and was named in their URC squad this past week.
A product of Affies in Pretoria, like Janse van Rensburg, Van Heerden also represented SA Schools and the Junior Springboks.
He recently featured for the Barbarians in their match against the Springboks in Cape Town
Although the name of the French club has not been officially confirmed, several outlets have linked the player to clubs known for their aggressive recruitment of South African forwards, such as Toulon, Montpellier, or Racing 92. These teams have a history of signing powerful locks and loose forwards who thrive in the physically demanding European competitions.
The Stormers lock in question has been a key figure in their United Rugby Championship (URC) campaigns, known for his dominance in the lineout, physicality in contact, and work rate around the park. His consistent performances have not gone unnoticed, both domestically and abroad.
This potential move comes amid growing financial pressures on South African franchises, who struggle to match the salaries offered by European clubs. With the exchange rate and player welfare concerns also in play, it’s not uncommon for players in their prime to seek opportunities overseas.
Stormers head coach John Dobson has acknowledged the challenges of retaining top talent but expressed hope that the player might be persuaded to stay, citing the team’s strong culture, recent successes, and fan support in Cape Town.
If the deal goes through, it would be a significant loss for the Stormers, but also a testament to the player’s rising value on the global stage. More details are expected to emerge as negotiations progress.
