Martin van der Heever


Martinus Jacobus van der Heever 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, 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 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 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 in Polokwane. He was again named on the bench for their match the following week against, 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 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. He made three more appearances off the bench for Toulouse before making his first start in their 20–16 defeat to. A last-minute substitute appearance followed in their next match against, 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 prior to the 2015 season. However, he did not receive a contract and instead returned to Bloemfontein to join the.