On 31 August 2012, Van der Vaart returned to his former club, Hamburger SV.
He would wear his favourite 23 number on the shirt and was announced as club's vice-captain.
On 16 September, he made his second debut with HSV in a match against Eintracht Frankfurt.
On 22 September, Van der Vaart provided two assists against Borussia Dortmund, contributing to two crucial goals in HSV's narrow 3–2 win.
He scored his first goal of the season with a screamer in a 2–2 away draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach, later suffering a serious injury that left him out of action for several months.

Van der Vaart made his return to action on 20 January 2013 against 1.
FC Nürnberg in a 1–1 draw.
On 9 April, he was named the club's captain, succeeding Heiko Westermann.
Not having scored for almost two months, Van der Vaart scored a brace on 20 April 2013 against Fortuna Düsseldorf in a 2–1 home win.
Hamburg later decided not to give van der Vaart a contract extension.
On 31 August 2012, Van der Vaart returned to his former club, Hamburger SV. He would wear his favourite 23 number on the shirt and was announced as club's vice-captain. On 16 September, he made his second debut with HSV in a match against Eintracht Frankfurt. On 22 September, Van der Vaart provided two assists against Borussia Dortmund, contributing to two crucial goals in HSV's narrow 3–2 win. He scored his first goal of the season with a screamer in a 2–2 away draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach, later suffering a serious injury that left him out of action for several months.
Van der Vaart made his return to action on 20 January 2013 against 1. FC Nürnberg in a 1–1 draw. On 9 April, he was named the club's captain, succeeding Heiko Westermann. Not having scored for almost two months, Van der Vaart scored a brace on 20 April 2013 against Fortuna Düsseldorf in a 2–1 home win. Hamburg later decided not to give van der Vaart a contract extension.
Rafael van der Vaart