Saracens are reportedly the latest club to enquire about a Springbok that the Stormers have their heart set on luring to Cape Town.
The English Premiership giants are looking to snap up Bok hooker Marnus van der Merwe, in what could derail the Stormers’ bid to bring him to the Mother city.
The 28-year-old front rower is in the final year of his contract with Welsh side Scarlets, and his future has become one of the hottest talking points in the transfer market since his Test breakthrough last month.
According to Rapport, the Stormers had identified Van der Merwe as a key target after losing Joseph Dweba to Exeter Chiefs following the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
Without Dweba’s PONI (Player of National Interest) contract – a deal where a player’s provincial salary is partially funded by SA Rugby – he became too expensive to retain.
Van der Merwe is expected to secure PONI support if he stays in South Africa, making a return home far more feasible.
However, competition for his signature appears to be heating up.
The Sharks and Lions are also circling, while Saracens’ interest raises the stakes significantly. According to RugbyPass, the London giants have England and Lions veteran Jamie George out of contract next summer, and could see Van der Merwe as a long-term successor.
With multiple suitors in play, the Stormers face a battle to lure the Bok hooker back to South Africa
