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.
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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
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments