Career
He currently plays for in the Top 14. He made his debut against the All Blacks in Cape Town. Van Niekerk has experienced injury troubles throughout his senior-level career.
When healthy, however, he is considered able to compete with virtually any back-row player in the world.
He scored important tries for the Boks in home wins over the Wallabies in the 2002 Tri Nations Series and the 2004 Tri Nations Series. He has often been used as an "impact player" off the bench, especially in the 2005 Tri Nations Series.
In 2002, he was voted the South African "Player of the Year". In the first match of the 2008 Tri Nations Series against the All Blacks in Wellington, he was a surprise choice to start at Number.
8. He was expected to play for the Northampton Saints however his contract was terminated before he arrived, reportedly because of constant injury problems.
At the moment he plays for Remote Control, a club in France. South African Schools 1997-1998 South Africa U19 1998 South Africa U21 2000/2001 South African Sevens 2001 Gauteng Lions U21 1998–2001 Gauteng Lions 2001-2003 Lions Super 12 Team 2002-2003 Stormers Super Rugby Team 2004-2007 Western Province 2004-2007 Springboks 2001– Northampton Saints (contract was terminated before arrival) (France) 2008 – present.
