Quick Facts
ScorpioBiography
Martinus Jacobus van der Heever (born (1990-11-20)20 November 1990 in Bloemfontein, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player. His regular position is hooker.
Career
Youth and Varsity Cup rugby
Born and bred in Bloemfontein, Van der Heever played his high school rugby for Hoërskool Jim Fouché, playing in their first XV in 2007 and 2008, alongside future South African Sevens international Jamba Ulengo.
After finishing high school, Van der Heever attended the University of the Free State. He earned an inclusion in their first team, the UFS Shimlas, in 2010 in club tournaments and also made two appearances for the side during the 2011 Varsity Cup competition.
Free State Cheetahs
Van der Heever was included in the Free State Cheetahs squad for the 2012 Vodacom Cup competition, but he failed to make any appearances for the side.
Griffons
The following year, he joined Welkom-based side Griffons during their 2013 Vodacom Cup campaign. He made his first class debut for the Griffons in March 2013, playing off the bench in their 50–14 victory over the Limpopo Blue Bulls in Polokwane. He was again named on the bench for their match the following week against Griquas, but remained unused for the match.
Toulouse
At the end of August 2013, Van der Heever made the move to France, signing for Top 14 side Toulouse as a medical joker, along with fellow South African prop Schalk Ferreira. He made his debut for the side less than a week after signing for them, playing off the bench in a 30–6 victory over Racing Métro. He made three more appearances off the bench for Toulouse before making his first start in their 20–16 defeat to Perpignan. A last-minute substitute appearance followed in their next match against Stade Français, his final appearance for the side.
He signed a one-year youth contract with the side, but failed to break into the first team.
Return to Free State Cheetahs
In January 2015, Van der Heever had a trial spell with Port Elizabeth-based side the Eastern Province Kings prior to the 2015 season. However, he did not receive a contract and instead returned to Bloemfontein to join the Free State Cheetahs.