Munster have won race to sign 'abrasive' Springbok front-rower

Munster have won the race to land Springbok hooker Marnus van der Merwe from United Rugby Championship outfit the Scarlets when his contract runs out at the end of the season.

The Irish province have paid up to see off the deep pockets of Gallagher PREM outfits Gloucester and Saracens, as well as URC rivals the Sharks, all of whom wanted to sign van der Merwe, who joined the Scarlets in 2024.

The Sharks will now return to the drawing board to replace Dylan Richardson, who went to Edinburgh in the summer, and to help Bongi Mbonambi, who is approaching the veteran stage of his career, manage his workload.

French Top 14 outfit Clermont Auvergne and another URC side, the Lions, had also been linked with van der Merwe, 28, who has scored a try in his three appearances for the struggling Scarlets, who are without a point this season.

Munster have attempted to bolster their squad by signing an overseas hooker several times in recent years, only to have moves blocked by the IRFU, but they have finally given the green light to the signing of van der Merwe.

But an unbeaten start to the new season that has seen Munster win all five games under Clayton McMillan since his move to south-west Ireland appears to have prompted a change of policy.

It will be another blow for the Scarlets and Welsh Rugby, who have seen a talent drain as a cash crisis continues to bite, despite boss Dwayne Peel being very keen to keep van der Merwe in the region next season.

“You talk about overseas talent, and he is definitely one who has helped our squad. He’s abrasive, he’s a ball carrier for us, and his performances have shown that in what he’s given us on the field.

“There will probably be interest in Marnus, there’s no doubt about that. Hopefully, things will work out, and he will be able to stay longer, but who knows at this present stage,” he told the BBC at the start of last month.