Scarlets looking to capture hooker
THE Scarlets are closing in on the signature of highly-rated South African Marnus van der Merwe from the Cheetahs for the 2024-25 season.
The hooker spent a short period on loan at the Ospreys at the end of 2023 after the Welsh region struck a player development partnership with the Cheetahs. But the Scarlets are close to securing the services of the 26-year-old, who would compete with Wales international Ryan Elias and Shaun Evans for the No. 2 shirt in Llanelli.
The man from Nelspruit is highly regarded in South African rugby circles with his carrying game, set-piece prowess, work rate and raw physicality marking him out as a fans’ favourite at the Cheetahs. He is also extremely strong over the ball and wins a decent amount of turnovers at the contact area.
We have also been told by sources in South Africa that van der Merwe is on Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks watch list, although the Rainbow Nation have an embarrassment of riches at hooker.
It has been a difficult season for the Scarlets, who have only won twice all season with many pundits highlighting their front five and a lack of ball carriers as their Achilles heel.
Things will get worse in Wales before they get better with the salary cap dropping from £5.2 million to £4.5m next season, although there is room for two marquee players outside the cap, meaning all four professional sides – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets – will have to cut their cloth accordingly. This will inevitably result in at least a handful of senior Wales internationals leaving the regional game to take up contracts in England and France.
The Scarlets are trying to put together a squad which can at least be competitive, and have prioritised the pack as an area in need of strengthening. They hope to complement up-andcoming Welsh talent with experienced overseas forwards such as van der Merwe in order to give themselves a stronger platform for the likes of Sam Costelow and Ioan Lloyd to thrive.