POSITION:
Scrumhalf
CLUB TEAM:
Bath (England)
HOMETOWN:
Pretoria
DOB:
November 30, 2000
CATEGORY:
Star
SPORTING CODE:
Rugby
Bernard van der Linde, born on 30 November 2000 in Pretoria, South Africa, is a rising professional rugby union player who occupies the scrum-half position.
Van der Linde attended Die Hoërskool Menlopark in Pretoria and later the University of Pretoria (Tuks) where he furthered his rugby development. From his youth, rugby was not just a pastime but a clear ambition. At university level, he made a notable contribution for the Tuks side in the 2022 FNB Varsity Cup final: he scored two tries as Tuks edged Maties 29-23 to claim the title. This performance signalled that Van der Linde was more than just a developing player — he was beginning to make key contributions in competitive fixtures.
Van der Linde’s senior professional journey began with the Vodacom Bulls (often simply “the Bulls”) in South Africa. He progressed through their junior ranks and eventually secured a senior contract. While his game time in the senior team was initially limited, he featured in the Currie Cup, the United Rugby Championship (URC) and the European Champions Cup competition under the Bulls’ banner.
A key turning point in Van der Linde’s career came in early 2025: on 4 February he signed a two-year deal with the English Premiership club Bath Rugby, set to join ahead of the 2025-26 season and remain until summer 2027.
Standing out as a scrum-half, Van der Linde brings an aggressive, line-break ready style: he enjoys injecting pace from the base of the ruck, supporting the carry, and contributing defensively.
At only 24 years of age as of 2025, Van der Linde is at a key junction: moving from being a talented domestic player in South Africa to proving himself on the international club stage in England. The move to Bath offers greater exposure, higher intensity competition, and the opportunity to refine his craft against top-level opposition. If he can secure regular starting opportunities, maintain his fitness and adapt to the pressures of the Premiership, his trajectory could see him become a significant contributor at club level— and potentially attract higher honours in the years ahead.
Van der Linde attended Die Hoërskool Menlopark in Pretoria and later the University of Pretoria (Tuks) where he furthered his rugby development. From his youth, rugby was not just a pastime but a clear ambition. At university level, he made a notable contribution for the Tuks side in the 2022 FNB Varsity Cup final: he scored two tries as Tuks edged Maties 29-23 to claim the title. This performance signalled that Van der Linde was more than just a developing player — he was beginning to make key contributions in competitive fixtures.
Van der Linde’s senior professional journey began with the Vodacom Bulls (often simply “the Bulls”) in South Africa. He progressed through their junior ranks and eventually secured a senior contract. While his game time in the senior team was initially limited, he featured in the Currie Cup, the United Rugby Championship (URC) and the European Champions Cup competition under the Bulls’ banner.
A key turning point in Van der Linde’s career came in early 2025: on 4 February he signed a two-year deal with the English Premiership club Bath Rugby, set to join ahead of the 2025-26 season and remain until summer 2027.
Standing out as a scrum-half, Van der Linde brings an aggressive, line-break ready style: he enjoys injecting pace from the base of the ruck, supporting the carry, and contributing defensively.
At only 24 years of age as of 2025, Van der Linde is at a key junction: moving from being a talented domestic player in South Africa to proving himself on the international club stage in England. The move to Bath offers greater exposure, higher intensity competition, and the opportunity to refine his craft against top-level opposition. If he can secure regular starting opportunities, maintain his fitness and adapt to the pressures of the Premiership, his trajectory could see him become a significant contributor at club level— and potentially attract higher honours in the years ahead.
