Whole New Ballgame For Ex-Bok

HEINKE van der Merwe, a Johannesburg-born 36-year-old and a former Springbok, Sharks and Lions rugby player, is now scrumming down for a whole new ballgame...

After having been capped five times for his country and spent more recent years playing for teams in Ireland and France, the loose-forward prop, now living in Durban with his wife and two sons, has turned his talents to the world of property. Earlier this month he became an agent with the fast-growing Dormehl Phalane Group's Durban North branch, under the wing of branch principal and company founder Owen Dormehl.

Heinke, a former pupil of Johannesburg's Hoërskool Monument and who now has a BCom degree, was with the Boks for tours to France, Italy, Ireland, Wales and England. His test debut was in the South Africa-versus-Wales match in Cardiff on November 24, 2007, when he was a 22-year-old. His fifth and final test was the South Africa-versus-Australia match in Brisbane on July 18, 2015, when he was 30.

The son of former Transvaal prop, Schalk 'Oupa' van der Merwe, Heinke played one Super Rugby season with the Sharks in 2006, when he was 20. He was with the Lions for three years from 2007, then was recruited by Dublin-based team, Leinster, in June 2010. After three years there he then signed up with Stade Francais in Paris, returning to his home country in August 2019.

Heinke decided to return to South Africa because "we love the country, the schools, food, weather, opportunities... and being close to friends and family".

He and wife Nicole (an entrepreneur and a riding instructor at Oaklands Equestrian Estate) are now living in Durban North, with plans to soon move the family to Ballito, where their sons, Dane (11) and Eli (9), are pupils at Ashton College.

"Nicole moved back to South Africa two years before me. We could have chosen anywhere in the country to live but decided God wanted us in Durban. The city is expanding so much that we figured it would open up business opportunities. Also, after so long living abroad, we decided we had had our fair   share of winters."

Heinke does admit, however, that he sometimes misses living abroad.

"The lifestyle in Europe is great. I miss Guinness (the Guinness elsewhere does not taste quite the same as in Ireland) and I miss the baguettes, cheese and fresh-food markets in France. We also enjoy how straight-forward the French are. We are lucky to have formed great friendships with French and Irish people."

In Durban North, Heinke's family shares their house with dogs Velcro, a King Charles Cavelier X, and Haydrian, a Jack Russell. Also close to their hearts is Nicole's horse, named Ilha da Varlette.

Heinke still has his eye on the ball, so to speak, as he coaches for Glenwood Boys' High, Rovers rugby club and also at the Sharks Academy. His newfound passion, however, is property and he says he is delighted to be taking his first steps on this career path with the DPG family.

Adds Heinke, who turns 37 on May 3: "I have great respect for DPG Durban North principal, Owen Dormehl. He is very successful in the real estate industry, a great leader. He inspires, encourages and empowers other agents to accomplish the same."

He may be new to the property world, but Heinke believes he understands what it takes to be a good agent, mentioning great marketing and networking skills and a focus on attention to detail.

"As a professional rugby player, I became very passionate about all sports. I like to be up to date with latest rules and I have a broad knowledge of almost every sportsman's career and stats. I plan to apply this attention to detail to real estate, keeping up to date with all the latest topics," he says.

For him, knowledge is key. He is also patient and a good listener, he says... all qualities he believes will work to his advantage in the world of property. He goes on to further describe himself as "dedicated, hard-working, kind, self-disciplined and punctual".

What else has Heinke gained from his rugby career that might help in his quest to be a successful agent?

"I can perform under pressure... and if I lose, I come back to win. I stick to the rules, am self-motivated, have integrity and also have the tenacity to pursue every opportunity. I will hustle aggressively to market every property to the best of my ability."

Looking back on his sporting career, Heinke says three highlights have been fulfilling his longtime dream of representing this country as a Springbok; twice winning the Heineken Cup with Leinster; and winning the Top 14 and Challenge Cup with Stade Francais in France.

"I started playing rugby when I was six," he recalls. "Besides being prop for the then-Transvaal, my dad also coached school rugby and Craven Week teams, so rugby has always been a part of me."

Asked about the most amusing thing that ever happened to him in the rugby world, Heinke smiles. He tells of an incident that followed a match for the Lions, when a young woman asked him what his number was. "I eagerly wrote down my contact number. She then corrected me, saying she wanted to know what my position number was". Ouch!

And the worst thing someone has said to, or of, Heinke as a rugby player?

He ponders then replies: "I did not like it when someone said, 'You look much smaller in real life than on TV'."

Away from property, Heinke enjoys fishing with his boys, cycling, reading and watching his wife ride or play polo.

He says he is generally a shy, somewhat introvert person - and other things the general public might not know about him are that he is a Manchester United supporter, can speak French rather well, has a fear of failing and truly hates being late.

Heinke's motto in life: "Work hard, never give up and be the best version of yourself every day. Also, be generous and confident!