Springbok Hooker Marnus van der Merwe Returns From Injury Ahead of URC Season

• Marnus van der Merwe shook off a persistent calf injury and proved his fitness in an internal Munster training session
• The three-cap Springbok last played for the world champions in a 43-10 win over the All Blacks in Wellington
• Van der Merwe's return gives Rassie Erasmus more depth at hooker as the URC season approaches

Springbok hooker Marnus van der Merwe has recovered from a persistent calf injury and is in line to feature for Munster before the start of the 2026-27 United Rugby Championship season.

The 23-year-old front-rower, who has earned three Test caps for South Africa, demonstrated his fitness during an internal Munster training match and is expected to play in the province's final warm-up fixture against Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park next Saturday, ahead of the URC opener.

Van der Merwe's absence forced Erasmus's hand

While Van der Merwe was sidelined, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was compelled to call upon 39-year-old veteran Deon Fourie as support for first-choice hooker Malcolm Marx during the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand. The former Scarlets and Cheetahs forward stepped in to fill the void left by the Munster man's absence.

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Van der Merwe's last appearance in a Springbok jersey came during last year's 43-10 demolition of the All Blacks in Wellington, a result that underscored South Africa's dominance in the rivalry fixture.

Erasmus has depth at the hooker position

With Van der Merwe back in contention, Erasmus now has a well-stocked hooker department at his disposal. Alongside Van der Merwe, the world champions can also call on Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and André-Hugo Venter for the position, giving the coaching staff meaningful selection options as the international season draws closer.

Munster's URC campaign gets under way at Thomond Park against Glasgow Warriors next Saturday, with Van der Merwe expected to get valuable match time before the competition kicks off in earnest.

Source: Briefly News