Ruben van Heerden will make his first Test start for the Springboks when they face Wales in Saturday's Nations Championship Round Three match, with assistant coach Deon Davids describing the occasion as "well deserved".
The 28-year-old lock was called into the squad last month following Salmaan Moerat's withdrawal due to a neck injury, and has since featured for South Africa 'A' against Zimbabwe at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Saturday represents his first start in green and gold.
Van Heerden has been one of the Stormers' most consistent performers over the past two seasons, winning the URC Tackle Machine award after recording 171 tackles at a 98 percent success rate in 2024/25 before making 16 appearances across all competitions this season. His form has earned him a move to Montpellier ahead of the new campaign.
He began his career at the Bulls before making more than 50 appearances for the Sharks, followed by a stint at Exeter Chiefs. He credits his 2022 move to the Stormers as the turning point.
"The change of scenery going to Cape Town, and the trust that was shown to me by the coaching staff over there, really helped me to be where I am today," Van Heerden said.
The Alberton-born lock acknowledged there were periods of doubt along the way. "You feel like you had a good season. You don't really get picked. But I think it's in those moments that your faith keeps you and that is how your character is built."
Van Heerden, who faced the All Blacks XV with the Barbarians in November, described the upcoming start as "pretty surreal" but said he was approaching it without anxiety. "I'm just grateful for the opportunity and hoping to make the most of it when it comes on Saturday."