VIDEO: Deans explains selection of Saffa lock duo
WATCH as Barbarians head coach Robbie Deans speaks about his lock combination selection of Dave Ribbans and Ruben van Heerden against the Springboks.
The lock duo, who will face their fellow countrymen at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, can provide the Boks a stern test in the set-piece department and in loose play.
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Many would feel that Van Heerden has been unlucky to be excluded from Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus’ plans for the July Test series against Italy and Georgia.
Van Heerden recently won the United Rugby Championship Tackle Machine award, which is presented to the player with the best tackle success rate among those who have attempted 150 or more tackles.
He also had five line-out steals during his URC campaign.
His lock partner this weekend, Dave Ribbans, have tasted international rugby before with his adopted country England.
His last act in a white jersey came in a third/fourth place play-off against Argentina in the 2023 World Cup, where England claimed bronze.
He departed Premiership outfit Northampton Saints that same year to join Top 14 side Toulon, which made him ineligible to represent England due to their selection policy of not selecting players who ply their trade outside the country.
BaaBaas mentor Deans, however, sees great value in both Ribbans and Van Heerden and hinted that the Stormers hardman will have a point to prove against the Boks.
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“We had Dave [Ribbans] last year for a fixture against Fiji at Twickenham and he was outstanding,” Deans told @rugby365com.
“It depended [his availability for the BaaBaas] on the results of the Top 14 [semifinals].
“Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, he missed out there but was able to get here.
Deans added: “We’re delighted to have Dave [Ribbans], who is South African.
“He’s an international lock who has been denied that courtesy due to club decisions [moving to Toulon], but it will be great for the locals to see him play against his own.
“And [for] Ruben [Van Heerden], likewise. He’s been on the cusp of international rugby, and I have no doubt that he’ll be highly motivated as well.”
