Catching Up With Gerhard Van Den Heever

South African Gerhard van den Heever joined Munster on a two-year contract from Currie Cup finalists Western Force in November and has scored two tries in just five appearances for the province.

The flying winger, nicknamed 'shadow' for his searing pace, has also played a part in Munster A’s progress to the quarter-finals of the B&I Cup with three tries in two appearances in the competition.

The Bloemfontein native injured his hand on his Munster debut against Newport Gwent Dragons but, despite that early setback, the 24-year-old has settled well in Ireland.

Van den Heever resumed training with his team-mates on Tuesday after a week off as preparations begin for next Saturday's PRO12 clash against Treviso at Thomond Park.

Find out more about the powerful winger below.

Name: Gerhard van den Heever

Favourite Food: My fiancés cooking

Book you are currently reading or have just finished: Piet Byleveld – An Afrikaans book about a famous South African detective.

Favourite TV programmes: 2 and a Half Men, Suits and How I Met Your Mother

Favourite Films: Mostly comedies – Anchorman, Talladega Nights and Step Brothers

Favourite Actors: Will Ferrell and Robert De Niro

Most enjoyable holiday location: Stilbaai in South Africa

Marooned on a desert island what could you not be without: My fiancé, Braai (a barbecue) and a Swiss army knife.

Favourite sports other than rugby: Athletics and Golf

Sportsperson you admire most: Tiger Woods

Hobbies: Golf, sight-seeing and spending time with friends and family.

Where and when did you first play rugby: Started in Bloemfontein played trails for our grade 1 team.

Biggest influence on career: My dad

Best career advice you were given: We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.

What do you like most about being a rugby player: The best feeling is when you can pick up that trophy at the end of the final and just get that satisfaction of a job well done in your heart.

What do you like least about being a rugby player: Probably preparing yourself for the season as a team and not performing to your best standards, letting the team and yourself down. That’s got to be the worst.

Other sports that you played: Athletics at school, I ran the 110 m Hurdles.

Best rugby memory: Making my Super Rugby debut, and being part of the team to win the Super Rugby and Currie Cup.

Sporting events you would most like to attend: The World Cup, the Olympic games and an F1 Grand Prix.

Three people you would invite to dinner and why: Warren Buffett- maybe he could slip me a few tricks of the trade; Michael McIntyre – never a dull moment and The Great Gatsby – it'll end up in one hell of a party.