Two of the Stormers regular wings of the last few seasons have confirmed their moves to go play overseas. They are Bryan Habana, who will move to Toulon and Gerhard van den Heever (Shadow), who will be playing for Munster.
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Bryan Habana:
Springbok World Cup winner and former world player of the year Bryan Habana is set to finalise a two-year deal with European champions Toulon on Tuesday, the club revealed on Monday.
The 30-year-old Western Province wing, who has appeared 86 times for the Springboks and helped lead the team to their second World Cup in 2007, says it was hard to leave his homeland but is relishing the challenge.
“It is heartbreaking to leave my native country, but the opportunity to judge myself against other opposition in a new environment was hard to refuse,” said Habana, who was South African player of the year in 2005, 2007 and 2012.
He was also world player of the year in 2007 when they beat England in the World Cup final at the Stade de France in Paris.
He will join compatriots Bakkies Botha as well as fellow forwards Danie Rossouw and Joe Van Niekerk at the southern-based club who lost the French championship final against Castres.
He is set to be presented to the home fans on Thursday alongwith All Black second-row forward Ali Williams who also won the World Cup in 2011 and has appeared 77 times for New Zealand.
Gerhard van den Heever:
Stormers wing, Gerhard van den Heever has signed for Munster and will join up with his new team-mates after the Currie Cup season.
It is reported that Van den Heever joins Munster on a two-year contract.
“Gerhard is a young guy that is capable of playing in multiple positions and he has committed to Munster for two years so he has an opportunity to build in becoming a Munster man just like BJ Botha and CJ Stander before him,” said Munster coach Rob Penney.
“He is a wing, centre and fullback with a lovely kick and is exceptionally fast so he should be a great addition to the squad.
“We are very happy to have him coming to us and I know they are disappointed to see him go from the Stormers.”
Van den Heever said that he looks forward to his Irish adventure.
“I am looking forward to joining Munster and I am humbled by the trust shown in my character and ability to be granted the honour of becoming part of the Munster way of life.
“I will work diligently to justify the faith put in me and I will do my utmost to make a purposeful impact at the club every day.
“For now I will focus on playing my part to assist Western Province in defending the Currie Cup title.”
Van den Heever moved down to the Cape in 2012 after starting his career at the Bulls in 2009.