Van der Heever completes journey from Munster to Aviva

TOKYO, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 16: Gerhard van den Heever of Kubota Spears is tackled by Masayoshi Takezawa of Hino Red Dolphins during the Rugby Top League match between Kubota Spears and Hino Red Dolphins at Yumenoshima Stadium on February 16, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

If Gerhard van der Heever lines out for Japan in Dublin next Saturday it will in some ways represent a rugby journey come full circle.

Now aged 32, the South African-born back, primarily playing as a full-back for Top League club Kubota Spears, is on tour with the Brave Blossoms having finally completed the required five years of residency in Japan. Facing Ireland at Aviva Stadium for his Test debut will give van der Heever the chance to show his true colours to the Munster supporters whom he feels did not see the best of him during three injury-hit seasons in red in the middle of the last decade.