Van der Merwe is one of 26 players, mostly foreign-based, who will join Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus and his assistants during a virtual alignment camp this coming week. It’s the first time the overseas players, plus a couple of local youngsters, will touch base with the Springbok coaches following the first in-person camp last week.
The 28-year-old Van der Merwe, who joined Scarlets at the start of the United Rugby Championship (URC) from the Cheetahs, played a crucial role in keeping his team in the running against the Cape side. Although the Stormers eventually won 29-17, the game was in the balance until the 75th minute.
He played about 60 minutes of the clash and gave a good glimpse of why he was roped in for the virtual camp.
Apart from his relentlessness with the ball in hand when he carries, he was nearly spotless with his lineout throwing, he tackled with unabated intensity and was a nuisance at the breakdown.
He also controlled the ball well behind the rolling mauls of the Scarlets. When they struggled in the scrums, he was constantly asking referee Eoghan Cross to explain the decisions.
That speaks of a mature front ranker and someone who fits the bill of what Erasmus and the Boks are looking for. He has been at a Springbok alignment camp in 2024, but have yet to be capped.
Those three crucial steals on Saturday to halt the Stormers from gaining momentum on ...
The 28-year-old Van der Merwe, who joined Scarlets at the start of the United Rugby Championship (URC) from the Cheetahs, played a crucial role in keeping his team in the running against the Cape side. Although the Stormers eventually won 29-17, the game was in the balance until the 75th minute.
He played about 60 minutes of the clash and gave a good glimpse of why he was roped in for the virtual camp.
Apart from his relentlessness with the ball in hand when he carries, he was nearly spotless with his lineout throwing, he tackled with unabated intensity and was a nuisance at the breakdown.
He also controlled the ball well behind the rolling mauls of the Scarlets. When they struggled in the scrums, he was constantly asking referee Eoghan Cross to explain the decisions.
That speaks of a mature front ranker and someone who fits the bill of what Erasmus and the Boks are looking for. He has been at a Springbok alignment camp in 2024, but have yet to be capped.
Those three crucial steals on Saturday to halt the Stormers from gaining momentum on ...
You're reading a preview of
The Mercury (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 24, 2025