Latest news with #MarnusvanderMerwe
13-05-2025
- Sport
Who is the Welsh club signing eyeing a Springbok call-up?
Scarlets hooker Marnus van der Merwe will have the perfect opportunity to press his case for a Springboks call-up when he takes on the Sharks in Durban this weekend. That will likely see him going head to head with the man currently in possession of the South African No 2 jersey, double World Cup winner Bongi Mbonambi. It will also be a chance for Van der Merwe to help the Scarlets reach the Vodacom URC playoffs as they look to build on last Sunday's historic victory over the Lions in Johannesburg. The Nelspruit-born forward was selected for the Springboks' wider alignment camp in February of last year when he was with the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs, but he is yet to play for his country. Given his outstanding form, you would have to think he is in with a shout of another call up. He has been one of the signings of the season, making a huge impact with his ball carrying, his work at the breakdown and his all round physicality. The 28-year-old readily admits that playing international rugby remains a big ambition. 'I think as a child, any South African watching the game, with the Springboks doing well, everyone wants to play for that team, just like people in Wales who grew up watching their team,' he said. 'So everyone wants to play for their nation. It's definitely a thing I am going for, but I focus on the next thing which is helping the Scarlets where I can. Then, through that, I hope the Springbok coaches can see what I bring and see that I have the talent to be there. 'My goal is to get into international rugby. Everyone hopes for that. I just go out and play the best I can every single day. Hopefully that's enough.' Van der Merwe, who was with the Cheetahs for eight years, spent a month on loan at the Ospreys last season, making one appearance, before returning to Wales on a permanent move to the Scarlets. 'It was a very easy decision because it felt like my career was standing still in South Africa,' he said. 'I'd had a few injury problems and the Cheetahs weren't involved in the top competitions. They were out of Super Rugby and out of the URC. 'I had planned to go overseas for a couple of years, so when the Scarlets came and gave me an offer, I couldn't refuse. 'It was a good opportunity to be somewhere where I could get some game-time and show what I have against the big teams. It was a chance to improve my rugby and I was grateful for that. 'If you get an opportunity, some players take it, some players lose out. I think I have taken it with both hands. I am doing well and the coaches are backing me. Hopefully I can keep performing in this Scarlets jersey and show people what I am. 'I have enjoyed it so much here. The guys are very nice. They let me in quickly and just showed me the ropes. Everyone has been so welcoming. They made it so easy for me. It's become a home from home and my rugby has improved a lot. 'I love playing with the boys. It's a great side with amazing characters and thanks also to the fans. They help us do what we want to do. 'We can build a really good team here. I think the Scarlets are going to be in a good place in the next five years with all the youngsters coming up. There is something building here.' Having shared in the 32-19 victory over the Lions at Ellis Park, Van der Merwe is now after another South African scalp as he prepares for Saturday's showdown with the Sharks and the 77-cap Mbonambi. 'I think about winning every game. That's my mentality. I am very competitive,' he said. 'My character is to stand and fight and never give up. 'I look to get stuck in, slotting into the big five forward game, while also being like an extra back rower in the loose, so mixing it up really.' The Scarlets will go into the weekend in sixth place after four successive bonus point victories in the league. A win over the Sharks in their final regular season match would guarantee them a spot in the play-offs, while they have a good chance of progressing even if they lose. 'From day one, we have been competitive,' said Van der Merwe, who is contracted through to the summer of 2026. 'We had a few narrow losses, but we are starting to click as a team. Everyone is playing their part.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Wales Online
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Lions v Scarlets Live: Kick-off time, TV channel and score updates
The Scarlets take on the Lions in Johannesburg this afternoon (2pm) in arguably the biggest game of their season as Dwayne Peel's side chase a place in the United Rugby Championship play-offs. Results did not go the Scarlets' way yesterday and this is must-win territory for the west Walians who are also chasing a place in next season's Champions Cup. The Scarlets are in 10th place on the URC table, just three points off Cardiff who occupy the final play-off place. Peel's side will be full of confidence after overcoming Leinster a fortnight back and have selected a strong team. Scotland prop Alec Hepburn, South African hooker Marnus van der Merwe and Wales tighthead Henry Thomas pack down in the front-row with Alex Craig and Sam Lousi in the second-row. Josh Macleod captains the side and is joined in the backrow by Taine Plumtree and Vaea Fifita. Gareth Davies and Sam Costelow are the half-backs with Johnny Williams and Joe Roberts in midfield. Blair Murray, Tom Rogers and Ellis Mee make up an exciting back three, while Wales loosehead Kemsley Mathias returns from injury to take his place on the replacements' bench. Kick-off is at 2pm with the game live on S4C and Premier Sports. Scroll down for updates Lions: Quan Horn; Richard Kriel, Henco van Wyk, Bronson Mills, Edwill van der Merwe, Kade Wolhuter; Nico Steyn, Morgan Naude; Jaco Visagie (capt), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter, Ruan Delport, JC Pretorius, Renzo du Plessis, Jarod Cairns. Replacements: PJ Botha, SJ Kotze, RF Schoeman, Darrien Landsberg, Sibabalo Qoma, Layton Horn, Lubabalo Dobela, Rynhardt Jonker. Scarlets: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Ellis Mee; Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies; Alec Hepburn, Marnus van der Merwe, Henry Thomas, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Josh Macleod (capt), Taine Plumtree. Replacements: Ryan Elias, Kemsley Mathias, Sam Wainwright, Dan Davis, Jarrod Taylor, Archie Hughes, Ioan Lloyd, Macs Page. Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (SARU), Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU) TMO: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
Wales Online
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Welsh rugby's smartest signing of the season on brink of Springboks call
Welsh rugby's smartest signing of the season on brink of Springboks call The Scarlets hooker is targetting a place in the Springboks squad Scarlets hooker Marnus van der Merwe (Image: Gruffydd Thomas/Huw Evans Agency ) Marnus van der Merwe is backing the Scarlets to make waves in the coming seasons – and he's hoping his form in Wales will catapult him into the Springboks squad. The 28-year-old has been a revelation since joining the Scarlets from the Cheetahs at the start of the season, with the explosive hooker bringing a huge physical edge to the front five. Van der Merwe is a powerful carrier who has been excellent at the set-piece and a real menace at the breakdown. His form has not gone unnoticed by South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus who has included van der Merwe in his Springboks alignment camp. "As a child every South African watches the game and with the Springboks doing well everyone wants to play for that team," he said. "Everyone wants to play for their nation. It's definitely a thing I'm going for but I don't think ahead of time. "I think of the team this weekend and beating the Lions because we have to. So, I only focus on the next game and I'll help the team how I can. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Article continues below "But through that I hope the Springbok coaches see what I can bring and see that I have the talent to be there. "After school I went to Cheetahs and played eight years there. I had a bit of injuries and hammy problems, so my career was at a standstill. "They were thrown out of Super Rugby and URC. I was part of that when they were falling out and falling out. "It's not an easy place to be and it definitely built my character to where I am today. You have to stand and fight for what you want. "When Dwayne (Peel) called me and said there's an opportunity here I thought it is going to improve my rugby because everyone knows the Cheetahs are not playing in the best competitions in the world. "So, I took it with both hands and I'm happy for the opportunity they gave me." Van der Merwe is a prime example of how teams can benefit from quality overseas signings. The well-respected South African has been working closely with Wales U20s hookers Harry Thomas and Isaac Young, while his time in Llanelli has also benefited Ryan Elias. "Harry had a good season with Wales U20s," he said. "I have to watch my competition coming up to see how I make my rugby better! "I think it's really good for the Scarlets. There's other positions too with good youngsters coming up. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free "I think Scarlets are going to be in a good place over the next five years with youngsters coming up. "I think it's sad that he (Ryan Elias) got injured in the middle of the season because we have pushed each other and helped each other so much through the season. "But it is good to have him back to drive competition. He played well last weekend so hats off to him. "But I think we are working well together and working on building each other up and that's what makes a great team. It's not about individuals, it's about helping each other to build it up." The Scarlets' performances have improved significantly on last season but after a few narrow losses a stunning victory over Leinster last time out has put the west Walians back in contention for the United Rugby Championship play-offs, with a tour of South Africa to face the Lions and the Sharks ahead of them. And van der Merwe is confident the Scarlets will take their game to the next level in the near future. "Yes, we had a few narrow losses but I think we have started to click as a team," he said. "If it's not this year, I can't wait for next year to see what we can do and make damage where we can. "Everyone is bringing their part to the game. So, I think we are just building the best team that we can and I think around that everyone is shinning individually. Article continues below "I think there's something building here. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "We never know because rugby is a game of ups and downs but if we can keep building on what we are doing now we are going to be more dangerous next year."
