Surprise Springboks alignment camp invitee set to join Welsh URC side

Marnus-van-der-Merwe-of-the-Toyota-Cheetahs

The Scarlets have reportedly secured the services of Springbok alignment camp invitee Marnus van der Merwe from the Cheetahs.

The 27-year-old hooker was the only Cheetahs player invited to the first Springbok alignment camp of 2024 as Rassie Erasmus ramps up his preparations for the 2024 international season.

Van der Merwe is one of four uncapped hookers invited to the camp along with Johan Grobbelaar, Andre-Hugo Venter and Jan-Hendrik Wessels as the Boks look to the future of the jumper beyond Bongi Mbonambi (33) and a potential back-up to him and Malcolm Marx (29).

Scarlets sign Cheetahs star

The Cheetahs hooker had a spell on loan at Ospreys earlier this season under the player-share agreement that the two clubs share but according to OFM Sport, van der Merwe will return to Wales on a full-time contract.

The report states that he has “signed a contract to head back to Wales where he will play for the Llanelli-based Scarlets“, having enjoyed his first stint in Wales with the Ospreys.

“I am very happy to be part of the alignment camp and to be able to play for the Cheetahs is a great privilege, but it is very tough for a player if you are not playing in one of the bigger competitions such as the United Rugby Championship,” van der Merwe told OFM Sport

“But if you work hard and fighting on your knees can take you a long way. I thank God as well as the Cheetahs. Without them, I would not be where I am today.

“I’ll give it my best, and hopefully that’s what they’re looking for.”

As mentioned above, van der Merwe is the only Cheetahs player invited to the camp and is the first since Frans Steyn retired last year.

Springboks v Wales: Five things to know about the fixture at Twickenham

Marnus van der Merwe’s stats

While not one of the most well-known stars in the SA Rugby circles, the Cheetahs hooker has been in stellar form for the Bloemfontein-based side scoring five tries and assisting two en route to lifting the Currie Cup title last year.

This while maintaining a 93% success rate with his lineout throws – a success rate only bettered by Johan Grobbelaar in the tournament.

He has also nabbed three tries in three appearances for the Cheetahs in the Challenge Cup.

While the Springboks’ alignment camp is not a training squad, it does indicate that van der Merwe is in the mix for potential selection later in the year and could potentially make his Test debut for the Springboks in the recently announced clash against Wales at Twickenham.