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Brive sign Springboks prop Van der Merwe
By Ian Cameron
Top 14 side Brive have confirmed that they have captured some time Springboks prop Marcel van der Merwe from London Irish.
The 6'2, 120kg prop has penned a two year deal which will see him switch the Gallagher Premierhsip and London for the South-West of France.
The 31 year-old South African international – who has seven Springbok caps to his name – is no stranger to France, having played for La Rochelle and Toulon.
Previously, van der Merwe enjoyed successful stints back home in his homeland with the Cheetahs and the Bulls, before making just shy of 100 appearances at Toulon.
"I'm really excited about the idea of joining Brive and rediscovering the Top 14," he said in a club statement."I can't wait to arrive in the Correze for the challenge."
The experienced prop had been on the radar for Jake White at the Bulls, but will be sticking to Europe for the next two years at least.
Brive currently sit 12th on the Top 14 table.
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I like to see the Crusaders lose as much as the next non-Crusaders fan, but the fact that most of their best players have not been available this year is being hand waved away like it shouldn’t effect them. It’s no coincidence that their first dominant performance came when they had more of their best players back. This is not rocket science. If they can stay fit their team at the business end of the season will include Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Quentin Strange, Ethan Blackadder and Cullen Grace in the forwards - most of whom have barely, or not played this year. That is an outstanding pack that have not played together this season. McLeod, Havili, Aumua, Reece, and Halfpenny will be a very different prospect behind their first choice pack as well. Having said all that Penney’s record is scratchy at best, but given the players that have left and their injury list I’m reserving judgement. Penney’s appointment, a bit like Foz, has a similar stench of the incumbent having too much say in his replacement. They are lacking a truly high quality and experienced 10 which will make it hard for them to go the whole way IMO, but the list of teams who would want to play them in the finals will be very short.
Go to commentsWhere’s this people's champion come from? Irish people yes….other people? Their arrogance has become breathtaking. Not tested? Oh dear.
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