Irish province leads the race for highly sought-after Springboks front rower’s signature
Marnus van der Merwe and an inset of Clayton McMillan.
Marnus van der Merwe looks set to snub a return to South Africa and remain in the north when his Scarlets’ contract expires, according to reports.
The former Cheetahs hooker joined the Llanelli club last year and has quickly become a fan favourite, but the uncertainty around the future of the Welsh Rugby clubs and the interest he is attracting means his departure is surely inevitable.
Bok favours Munster
His stocks skyrocketed this year after the 28-year-old debuted for the Springboks against Georgia in Nelspruit. He earned further caps against Argentina and New Zealand during South Africa’s successful Rugby Championship defence.
According to a report by Rapport, Van der Merwe has attracted the interest of the Sharks and Lions in South Africa, but he is set to snub their advance with Irish Province Munster emerging as the frontrunners for his services.
The Sharks are eager to strengthen their hooking stocks following the departure of Dylan Richardson to Edinburgh and want another experienced front rower to ease the load on the ageing Bongi Mbonambi.
Meanwhile, the Lions are in the market for a new hooker after Jaco Visagie, who announced his retirement earlier this week due to a neck injury.
Van der Merwe has also been targeted by Premiership club Gloucester, but Rapport states that Munster is his preferred destination despite interest from French club Clermont too.
If the three-Test cap Bok were to sign for Munster, it would end the club’s long search for a hooker, having reportedly sought to sign an overseas hooker on several occasions in recent years, only to have moves blocked by the IRFU.
Earlier this week, Munster announced a new front row signing, recruiting ex-Leinster prop Michael Ala’alatoa.
The Samoan international has joined the side on a short-term deal from Clermont until the end of the season.
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