Ereklasse Rugby Round-Up: Standouts from the Weekend

The Ereklasse weekend delivered another thrilling round of rugby, packed with fierce contests, standout performances, and stat lines that highlight the growing talent within the Dutch domestic league. From powerful carries to clinical turnovers, we break down the players who made the biggest impact across all areas of the game.

Power Through the Line: Most Carries

Leading the pack in meters gained through sheer effort and intent was Tafadzwa Kahembe, racking up 18 carries, closely followed by Niel Otto (16) and Wolf van Dijk (15). This trio consistently dented defensive lines, providing valuable front-foot ball for their teams.

Tackling Machines: Most Tackles Made

In defence, Sam van Berkel stood out with 24 tackles, putting in a monumental shift to keep his opposition at bay. Not far behind were Marcos Timiraos (21) and Jonas van Spaandonk (19), showing exceptional work rate and resilience.

Ruck Dominance: Most Rucks Hit

Max Leber continues to be a force at the breakdown, leading with 41 rucks hit, with Samuel Voorhoeve (31) and Henk Hoos (27) making their presence known in the engine room. These unsung heroes laid the foundation for attacking continuity.

Flying Finishers: Most Tries Scored

It was a tight race at the top, with Louis van Heukelom notching 2 tries, sharing the lead with Sebastiaan Van Mameren and Niels Kuhn, each crossing the whitewash twice. Eleven other players touched down once, showing the league’s attacking variety and threat across multiple teams.

Kicking & Conversion: Most Points

Louis van Heukelom also topped the scoring charts with 10 points, tied with Sebastiaan Van Mameren, Niels Kuhn, and Evan Bloemers. Goal-kickers and try-scorers combined well this week, with several players hitting double figures, including Sam Grillis and Ben McCarthy.

Stealing Possession: Most Turnovers

Max Leber was relentless over the ball, winning 4 turnovers, while Rijk Herremans and Ioan Davies each claimed 3. The breakdown was fiercely contested all weekend, with Sosene Mataena and Monty Leverstein also impressing.

Linebreak Lightning

Speed and vision were on display from Oliva Sialau, who broke the line four times, setting himself apart as the top threat with ball in hand. Huub Van Boerdonk (2) and Jaap van der Vleuten (2) also showed great attacking instinct.

Field Progression: Most Meters Made

Tom Eelman covered an impressive 124 meters, topping the weekend’s running stats. Oliva Sialau again featured prominently with 109 meters, while Mees Van Oord (101) and Ramiro Camacho (98) also made significant territorial gains.

Relentless Engines: Work Rate Warriors

Work rate defines elite rugby players, and Max Leber led from the front once again, with a weekend-high 48 combined efforts across tackles, carries, and rucks. Niel Otto (46) and Eli Leber (43) weren’t far behind, showing stamina and commitment across 80 minutes.

Top 5 Players of the Weekend

Based on impact across multiple categories:

1. Max Leber – Led in rucks and turnovers, second in work rate. A dominant all-around performance.
2. Louis van Heukelom – Most tries and most points; lethal in attack.
3. Sam van Berkel – 24 tackles and top-5 work rate — the defensive rock.
4. Tom Eelman – Most meters made and top 10 in carries; constant attacking presence.
5. Oliva Sialau – Top in linebreaks and meters; pure attacking danger.

A League on the Rise

These stats are more than numbers — they reflect the intensity and development of the Ereklasse as it continues to raise the bar for domestic rugby in the Netherlands. With a strong mix of homegrown talent and international flair, Dutch rugby fans can expect even more action and skill in the weeks to come.

Stay tuned for our next breakdown and don’t forget to follow the Dutch Rugby Magazine for more exclusive Ereklasse coverage.