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PREM Rugby

Sale Sharks confirm Akker van der Merwe departure


Akker Van Der Merwe /PA
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Comment

South Africa international hooker Akker van der Merwe will leave Gallagher Premiership finalists Sale Sharks with immediate effect.

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Sale said that the 32-year-old had agreed an early release from his contract and will return to South Africa for personal reasons.

He made 70 appearances after joining Sale in 2019, scoring 31 tries.

“Akker has played some of his best rugby here, and we feel he has become one of the world’s best, most physical hookers,” Sale rugby director Alex Sanderson told the club’s official website.

“We are gutted to be losing him because he has been instrumental in everything we have done since I’ve been here. But he goes with our blessing, because he is leaving for the right reasons.”

Sale, meanwhile, have been linked with Exeter’s Luke Cowan-Dickie and former London Irish hooker Agustin Creevy as possible front-row recruits ahead of next season.

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Comments on RugbyPass

L
LouisJ 6 minutes ago
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii set for new Wallabies position against Springboks

Flyhalf is a difficult one at the movement, nobody, other than Carter Gordon, is really performing well. But with Carter’s injury it is a difficult call. Donaldson has the most experience but I really feel that he doesn’t have big match temperament, he seems to crack against the big sides. I wish he proves me wrong this weekend and he plays the the way he plays in Super Rugby. Paisami has been pretty good, but personally I would have selected Isaac Henry, if he is fit, I haven’t heard that he is not fit. I think Having Su and Jorgo and Wright together will be an awesome test, I think they could really link up nicely. I have felt for a while now that they should try Su on the wing, I’m excited about that. I think Williams is a good guy to have on the field against the springboks, he is a clever player and is good at disrupting the oppositions lineout, he just needs to watch his discipline, he does give away unnecessary penalties and is yellow card. Wallabies can’t afford cards on the weekend. Bench is looking strong.

4 Go to comments
T
Tah Man Too 14 minutes ago
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii set for new Wallabies position against Springboks

Disagree. Donno is our current bench 10, he should get a start with Gordon out. Paisami played very well the last start he got, and it’s going to be good to see him paired with Lenny again. Henry looked very good too, but experience matters against SA. Wright is not in his best form, but is the incumbent, and while Campbell got the rough end of the pineapple earlier in the year, bringing him in now makes no sense given he hasn’t played much lately. And Williams, well he’s been very good for us. He gets bagged because he might not be as big as LSL, Canham or even Frosty, but he is consistently a top performer in tackle count, carries and all around dirty work. He’s a players player and I think our 3 best second rowers currently on form have all been selected (Canham, Williams, LSL).

4 Go to comments
N
NB 31 minutes ago
Canada proved against the Red Roses you do not always have to 'earn the right to go wide'

https://www.rugby.com.au/wallaroos/news/wallaroos-players-to-align-with-pwr-clubs-in-2026-202661

Sounds like a plan!



...

124 Go to comments
R
Rugby3 34 minutes ago
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii set for new Wallabies position against Springboks

Donaldson is not part of our strongest side, nor is Paisami. Nor is Tom Wright at the moment. Nor is Jeremy Williams.

4 Go to comments
W
Wayneo 35 minutes ago
‘South Africa has produced enough URC finalists. This season it needs a champion’

These people should fly to one of South Africa-s neighbouring countries and then drive over into SA.

First thing they will realise is the SA is not third world country



...

13 Go to comments
K
KwAussie 37 minutes ago
Maddison Levi: ‘I don’t want to earn my spot because of my sevens career’

What an amazing person with so much talent. One of my favourite 7’s players and it would be great to see how she could transition to XV. So glad Australia hasn’t lost her to the NRLW like so many others

1 Go to comments
T
Tah Man Too 41 minutes ago
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii set for new Wallabies position against Springboks

Well, you gotta give it to Kiss, not afraid to make some changes. Pretty much the strongest side he could have picked from the available cattle, though maybe a bit light on cover for 10. I for one, am massively looking forward to seeing how this 23 goes. Go you good things!

4 Go to comments
N
NoLongerARuck 51 minutes ago
'Expectations are so high at Leinster that merely league-winning seasons are not considered good enough'

Looking forward to seeing Connacht in what could be the last year for Lancaster in this exciting project. Leinster have the squad, Muster have too many problems, if Ulster can build they will be a threat. Sounds about right. Lets see what the opening weeks brings

1 Go to comments
N
NoLongerARuck 1 hour ago
‘South Africa has produced enough URC finalists. This season it needs a champion’

To be perfectly honest it will be difficuly. The Sharks have almost no hope, their team and squad seems weaker each year and they look like they are lacking X-factor in a number of areas and their coach is way too inexperienced. I wonder if they can even crack the top 8. The Lions dont have the depth or resources but they have cohesion and some really intriguing combos, making the top 8 again should be their target to build on the success of last season. The Stormers have made some big signings but those Boks may only be available for half the season and therin lies the problem for them. They have plenty of quality in the squad but they lose so much to the Boks and have serious player availability problems. The Bulls have signed some reliable performers but thats been to replace some world class performers who have left. Their squad looks weaker this year but they have some depth and experience and are the most likely to finish in the top 2 with a running game thats continuously evolving. Overall I dont see any of the franchises finishing 1st on the log which is an absolute must considering the dip in performances when they play away. Having said that Leinster (ageing squad, less depth), Glasgow (several star players left) and Munster (depth issues in several positions) all look weaker this year compared to last. So maybe that evens itself out as far as the SA franchises are concerned but only time will tell.

13 Go to comments
P
Paul Ennis 1 hour ago
Leinster pull trigger on long-rumoured Andrew Porter switch for URC opener

Have Leinster ever won a game in Johannesburg? There is an argument to say that this is Leinster's best chance to do so. The availability of Porter, Baird & O'Brien, ironically due to last season's injuries, mean this might just be the strongest team Leinster have ever named in round 1!

I don't think we are favourites to win, but I give us a chance. And anything will be better than R1 last year.



...

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N
NoLongerARuck 1 hour ago
‘South Africa has produced enough URC finalists. This season it needs a champion’

Great to see Brazilians on this site and supporting South African teams too

13 Go to comments
N
NoLongerARuck 1 hour ago
‘South Africa has produced enough URC finalists. This season it needs a champion’

You are right to an extent but SA fans want to see their franchise teams do just as well as the Boks. In fact its one of the things that frustrate SA fans the most, the opportunity keeps coming but they never seem to get over the line. This doesnt happen to the Boks so why do the franchises keep losing finals? Novody can figure that one out just yet

13 Go to comments
N
NoLongerARuck 1 hour ago
‘South Africa has produced enough URC finalists. This season it needs a champion’

Actually the Lions have pretty good continuity this year. I hope they make the quarters this year again and maybe progress to the semis. They arent bogged down too much by Bok selection and they have some incredible firepower in their back row. They have a reliable tight 5 and a cohesive backline. Thats why they won the SA conference last year and I reckon they can build on it this year but they must improve when playing outside of SA

13 Go to comments
N
NoLongerARuck 1 hour ago
‘South Africa has produced enough URC finalists. This season it needs a champion’

Wheres the moderator on these comments? This is a terribly classist comment that looks down on the third world. One of the most disgusting comments I have seen on this site

13 Go to comments
N
NoLongerARuck 1 hour ago
‘South Africa has produced enough URC finalists. This season it needs a champion’

Better than being a Sharks fan🤣. Its not been an easy road at all for us in Durban

13 Go to comments
P
Paul Ennis 1 hour ago
‘South Africa has produced enough URC finalists. This season it needs a champion’



I am Brazilian, I have been following South African rugby since 2015. I root for the Lions, but I think they will have a very challenging season because they lack depth. I think the Sharks, the Bulls and the Stormers are able to win the competition this year, mainly because I see Leinster weaker than last season.

Not hard to translate in this day and age



...

13 Go to comments
D
DZBokMaster 1 hour ago
Leinster pull trigger on long-rumoured Andrew Porter switch for URC opener

We won't get a better chance to beat Leinster than this weekend, Boyd, given the team they have selected!

2 Go to comments
G
GP 2 hours ago
'He fits that mould': Former All Black backs ex-captain to reclaim starting spot

I think Mils is dead right. Scott Barrett hopefully gets through a game or 2 for the Naki. He is tough and a world class lock. Crusaders missed him earlier in the year and the AB’s in South Africa. It has been a long way back for him, hope it all goes well. All Blacks need him.

7 Go to comments
P
PB 4 hours ago
'Your perspective': Vermeulen fires back at 'strange statement' over Boks

Worked a charm against Scotland, despite an iffish start. Remind us again, where Australia ranks vs Scotland?

15 Go to comments
J
JJ 6 hours ago
Uncertainty reigns but Welsh rugby must plough on in hope of a brighter future

Missing one point Mark, in that there will be a legal challenge to the ruling to reduce the sides to three. Let’s hope they win. The WRU (Worst Run Union) need to grow the game but are solely fixed on cuts. We can easily fund 4 teams if the commercial department did what it says on the tin. However, nobody wants to know them at the moment.

1 Go to comments
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