Who is Marnus van der Merwe? Meet the Springboks new star
When you think of South Africa’s rugby future, one name is quietly making waves: Marnus van der Merwe. The Nelspruit-born hooker began his rugby journey during his school years in South Africa. He plays for the Scarlets in Wales and has joined the Springboks.
My character is to stand and fight and never give up.
Source: Instagram
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Marnus van der Merwe progressed from South Africa’s youth teams to professional rugby, playing for the Cheetahs and Scarlets.
- He made his Springbok debut on 19 July 2025.
- He has earned recognition internationally, including the Scarlets’ Supporters’ Player of the Season and a spot in the URC Elite XV (2024/25).
Profile summary
| Full name | Marthinus Stephanus van der Merwe |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 17 February 1997 |
| Age | 28 years old (as of 2025) |
| Ethnicity | Afrikaner |
| Place of birth | Nelspruit (Mbombela), South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (186 cm) |
| Weight | 107 kg (236 lbs) |
| School | Hoërskool Nelspruit, Nelspruit |
| Profession | Professional rugby union player |
| Position | Hooker |
| Current club | Scarlets (Wales) |
| Former club | Toyota Cheetahs (South Africa) |
Marnus van der Merwe's passion for rugby developed in school
Marnus van der Merwe’s journey started at Hoërskool Nelspruit, a school known for its competitive rugby program. During his school years, he represented the Pumas. This was where he first showcased his potential as a hooker.
He once admitted that playing international rugby was his big ambition. Sharing with SuperSport, he said:
My goal is to get into international rugby. Everyone hopes for that. I just go out and play the best I can every single day.
Source: Original
He began his rugby career with the Toyota Cheetahs
After completing his schooling, Marnus van der Merwe joined the Toyota Cheetahs Academy in Bloemfontein. He was well known for his fierce scrums and accurate lineouts and became a key player in South Africa’s domestic competitions.
Marnus van der Merwe played a vital role in the Cheetahs’ success
In 2023, Marnus helped the Cheetahs secure a Currie Cup victory. This cup is a highly prestigious domestic title in South Africa. The rugby player reportedly played over 70 matches for the Cheetahs.
Source: Getty Images
He transferred to the Scarlets in the summer of 2024
As shared on Scarlet's official website, Marnus joined the Scarlets from the South African side Toyota Cheetahs in the summer of 2024. He made an instant impact upon arrival and was named the Scarlets’ Supporters Player of the Season.
He was included in the United Rugby Championship’s end-of-season Elite XV. Speaking about his move in an interview, as shared on Scarlets, he said:
Over the last couple of years, I really planned to go overseas, so when the Scarlets came and gave me an offer, I couldn’t refuse. It was a good opportunity to be somewhere where I can get some game time and show what I have against the big teams.
He continued:
I have been here just over two months now. The guys are very nice. Everyone is so welcoming. They make it so easy for me. It’s already a home from home for me and my wife. Hopefully, I can help bring success to the Scarlets. That’s my goal.
His move to the Scarlets proved pivotal in shaping his career
After joining the Scarlets, the rugby player shared how the playing style in the team differed from that of his hometown and hoped it would impact his career.
He shared that South Africans are known as one-up running, hard-hitting sort of people, while those playing the Scarlets are more skill-based.
Source: Getty Images
Marnus' success at Scarlets gave him a spot with the Springboks
His strong performances at Scarlets earned him a Springbok call-up. In June 2025, he was called up to the Springboks. He made his official debut on 19 July 2025 as a hooker against Georgia at Mbombela Stadium in his hometown of Nelspruit.
With an immediate impact, he scored two tries in South Africa’s 55-10 victory. Before this, he had his first international appearance in a non-test match against the Barbarians in Cape Town in June 2025, which did not count as a capped test.
He is the 951st player to be capped as a Springbok and is already establishing himself as a key figure in the national team. Speaking about being on the Springbok team, he said on Springbok News:
It’s an honour to be here. I’ve been praying for this every day, so it’s a blessing, and it’s not something I’m taking lightly. It has been great to have players like Bongi (Mbonambi) and Malcolm (Marx) to learn from, and they, along with the rest of the team, have been very helpful in getting me settled.
Marnus van der Merwe is married
Though details of his wedding are scarce, the Springboks rugby player is married to Anika. Sharing his wedding picture on his unverified Instagram page, he wrote:
God blessed me with the most beautiful woman. Every day I wake up and look in your eyes, my wife, I go on my knees and say thank you to our Father above. The Lord knew I needed a rock like you to keep me on the right path. Thank you, my best friend.
Source: Instagram
Frequently asked questions
- What is Marnus van der Merwe’s age? As of 2025, he is 28 years old.
- What is Marnus van der Merwe’s position? He plays as a hooker and is responsible for scrums, lineouts, and contributing across the field.
- Is Marnus van der Merwe related to Akker van der Merwe? Akker van der Merwe is also a South African rugby union player, but he is not related to Marnus despite similar a surname.
Conclusion
Marnus van der Merwe is now officially a capped Springbok. At 28, he has already played for multiple top clubs, including the Cheetahs and Scarlets. With this rapid rise in international rugby, he is set to play a significant role in upcoming Springbok campaigns and major tournaments.
READ MORE: Breyton Paulse: The rugby star's personal life and career explored
As Briefly.co.za published, Breyton Paulse made hat-trick history with his outstanding performances when debuting for the Stormers and the Springboks, respectively.
Breyton became a national treasure when he played for the South African national rugby team, the Springboks, from 1999 to 2007. He also played on the wing of the Springboks in the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups before his retirement.
Source: Briefly News
