Warlike hooker Van der Merwe makes potent start for Munster

Van der Merwe has made a strong start to life with the province since joining from Scarlets during the summer, and he earned the player of the match award in Munster’s URC draw with Ulster last weekend. Van der Merwe wasn’t quite an under-the-radar signing. He is a Springboks-capped hooker, after all. But it is fair to say Munster luring him to Ireland didn’t make huge waves. This is partly because van der Merwe played for the Cheetahs in South Africa up until 2024.