From a King to a Chief to a Lion... meet the South African lock on the move again
Wilhelm Van Der Sluys has bid an emotional farewell to Exeter Chiefs, bringing to an end his two-season association with the Premiership club.
The South African-born forward said his goodbyes to everyone at Sandy Park on Tuesday, before jetting back to his homeland to take up a contract offer with Super Rugby outfit, the Lions.
The 27-year-old was brought to Devon by Chiefs boss Rob Baxter in July 2017 from the Kings initially on a one-year deal, but he did enough during that first season to convince Baxter to prolong his stay.
A popular figure within the first-team ranks at the club, he made his senior debut in the Anglo-Welsh Cup clash against Worcester last season and has since gone on to represent the club also at both Premiership and European level.
A member of the victorious Anglo-Welsh Cup winning side that defeated Bath at Kingsholm last term, he departs having made 12 appearances in total.
(Continue reading below…)
Reflecting on his time with the club, Van Der Sluys said: “It’s been an amazing experience, one which is difficult to put into just a few words. From the day I arrived to the day I said goodbye, it’s been a wonderful experience for me and I am so grateful to have been part of what is a very special club.
“Over the years I have been fortunate to play rugby at a few clubs, but the camaraderie that exists here at the Chiefs, it’s on another level. You can see it both on and off the field, the guys here are not only team-mates, but great friends.”
Although opportunities have been somewhat limited for Van Der Sluys, he says he departs Devon with only positives.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have played a small part in the club’s success,” he added. “Not only have I learnt about myself, but I’ve learnt a lot about my rugby and how I can be better. It’s been great working with the players and the coaches, all of whom have added to me in their own way over the past two seasons.
“For sure, I’ll take what I’ve learnt from Exeter back to beautiful South Africa and hopefully I will continue to keep improving.”
With the Super Rugby season already up and running, Van Der Sluys hopes he can quickly settle to life with the Johannesburg-based Lions.
“I’m excited about the new challenge,” he continued. “South Africa is home for me and it will be great to be back there, but at the same time I almost feel obliged to say that I will come back to Exeter in the future.
“To be part of what is a world class club here was something I will treasure forever. It’s one of those opportunities that doesn’t come your way all that often, but I take so many good memories from here and I will always look out to see how the team are doing.”
? – @WilhelmVDsluys has bid a fond farewell to @ExeterChiefs as he heads home to take up a contract with @SuperRugby side @LionsRugbyCo
Read his final interview here ??https://t.co/sEWRWbJeoZ pic.twitter.com/5KpPabehEM
— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) March 6, 2019
Paying tribute to the departing Van Der Sluys, Baxter said: “Wilhelm has been fantastic over the past two seasons. He has done exactly what we asked of him; he’s been a very popular member of the squad; and he came in and added real strength to our options in the second row.
“He probably hasn’t played as much Premiership Rugby that he would have liked to, but you look at this season he has played in some big games for us and done exceptionally well for us. He’s also led some songs post-match after team victories and he’s offered so much during the time he has been here.
“The biggest compliment I can give him is that every time he has gone out onto the field in an Exeter Chiefs shirt, he’s given everything and worked his socks off. As I said, he’s been fantastic throughout his time with us and it was obvious the way the players responded to him in his send-off, he has been a big part of what the squad has been about.
Vodacom #SuperRugby derbies have never been this super. A fun-filled day for the whole family. Fans dressed up as their favourite super heroes as they cheered on their heroes on the field. Love seeing the little rugby fans having a great time. pic.twitter.com/CX8Eyvqr1v
— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) March 4, 2019
“Sometimes that is under-valued. Sometimes you just see the guys rolling out at the weekend and you under-value all the work that has gone on behind the scenes. Wilhelm has been invaluable in getting the shadow team ready on numerous occasions, he’s been a great player in the games he has played, and it was great to see him come through in some big games for us.
“Personally, I’m really pleased he’s got a Super Rugby contract. It’s good timing for him and it’s good that we have been able to work with him to take up that opportunity. I hope all goes well for him and wish him every success in the future.”
Comments on RugbyPass
You doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to comments