“As a small kid it has always been rugby all the way,” said Van der Linde. “There was never a thought of doing anything else in life. I remember me and my brother playing rugby in the back yard with the neighbours almost every single day after school and training my passes with my dad every time I was bored at home.
“Things I remember from a young age is that my mum and dad have always been very supportive of me and have been to almost every game I played if it was possible. So, I can’t wait for them to come and watch their first game in Bath when the time comes.
“My time at Loftus has come to an end, and I leave with so many fond memories that I have made over the years. I have been so fortunate to have had the chance to represent this jersey and play alongside some amazing players and even better people off the field. I am thankful for the time and friendships I have made,”
“It is always tough to bid farewell to loved ones, but this feels like the right time for me, and I look forward to linking up with my new teammates and the challenge of playing rugby in the North. As a small kid, it has always been rugby all the way. There was never a thought of doing anything else in life, and this is another opportunity to add to that dream.”
Van der Linde will be joining a Bath team that has been revived to contender status since the arrival of former Springbok assistant coach Van Graan in 2022, and which is currently leading the English Premiership with a 9-2 record. The scrumhalf room at the The Rec includes one-Test Springbok Louis Schreuder (34), 32-year-old England international Ben Spencer, former SA U20 halfback Neil le Roux (21) and former England U20 No 8 Tom Carr-Smith (22).
