Munster sign Springbok hooker van der Merwe

The 29-year-old will join Clayton McMillan's squad next summer on a two-year deal.

Marnus van der Merwe during South Africa Springboks training session.Pic: David Rogers/Getty Images

Munster have bolstered their front row for next season by announcing the signing of Springbok hooker Marnus van der Merwe from URC rivals Scarlets.

The 29-year-old South African will join Clayton McMillan's squad next summer on a two-year contract having made his Test debut for the world champions with a two-try debut against Georgia last July.

The hooker, who also featured in South Africa's 2025 Rugby Championship-winning campaign with appearances in the victories over New Zealand and Australia, will join Munster subject to being granted a valid work permit.

The abrasive and powerful van der Merwe will leave Scarlets after two seasons in west Wales, having joined from the Cheetahs in 2024.

He was Scarlets supporters' player of the year in his debut campaign and also named on the URC Elite XV for 2024/25, form which earned him his Test debut from Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus.

Such a pedigree indicates van der Merwe will provide more than just competition for Munster’s senior hookers Diarmuid Barron, Lee Barron and Niall Scannell, who is out of contract next summer having signed a one-year extension for the current term and general manager Ian Costello highlighted his skill set in welcoming the hooker to the province.

“We are delighted to have signed a player of Marnus’ calibre ahead of next season and he will add to the strength of our front row," Costello said.

“He has been one of the best hookers in the URC over the past two years resulting in a call up to the Springboks squad.

“He is a physical, abrasive hooker, very strong in the set-piece, excellent over the ball, and now has demonstrated his ability to perform at international level.

“Marnus is passionate, and extremely ambitious and has the qualities that will make him a really good fit to our playing group. We look forward to welcoming him to Munster this summer."

Talking to Munster Rugby, van der Merwe said: "I’m excited and honoured to be joining such a prestigious club, with such a proud rugby history. I want to finish the season strong with the Scarlets, before tackling this new challenge with Munster."

Munster are losing van der Merwe's fellow Springbok Jean Kleyn to Gloucester at the end of the current season with the lock's departure freeing up a space for a Non-Irish Qualified player under IRFU rules.

New Zealand's All Blacks XV centre Alex Nankivell and South African back three player Thaakir Abrahams are Munster’s other NIQs. Nankivell is contracted to July 2027 but Abrahams' current two-year deal, signed when he joined from Lyon in the summer of 2024, expires at the end this season.