The Toyota Cheetahs are delighted over the inclusion of the hooker, Marnus van der Merwe, in the upcoming Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town.

Van der Merwe is the first Cheetahs player to be called up to the camp since Frans Steyn, who has since then retired as a player and is now the Director of Rugby at the franchise.

The 27-year-old Van der Merwe however low down in the pecking order for the number two jersey behind players such as Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx and Joseph Dweba, while the two former Grey College players, André-Hugo Venter (son of André Venter) and Jan-Hendrik Wessels, have also being invited to the alignment camp.

Since the Cheetahs were controversially booted out of the then PRO14 in 2020, the Cheetahs only Bok has been Steyn, and as they don’t play in a regular international competition one does get the sense that their players are often overlooked for higher honours.

The Cheetahs interim coach, Izak van der Merwe, told OFM Sport that Van der Merwe’s call-up is just reward for all his hard work and effort at the team over the past seven years.

“We're extremely happy for Marnus, like you said, he has been one of the hard workers at the Cheetahs throughout the season and over the years,” said Van der Westhuizen.

“For him to get a call up to the Bok squad is an immense honour and everyone here is extremely proud of him.

“It just goes to show that the Cheetahs are still relative and we can still produce Springboks from this side. We're very proud of him and we wish him all the best.”

A source in Wales has however confirmed that Van der Merwe will be leaving the Cheetahs when his contract expires and he has already penned a deal with the Scarlets in Llanelli. He did recently play for another Welsh team, the Ospreys on a short-term deal. He represented the Swansea-based team in the United Rugby Championship at the end of 2023.

The players will assemble on 4 March in Cape Town for the start of the alignment camp.

Forwards - Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouche (Stormers), Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Celimpilo Gumede (Bulls), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortjé (Bulls), Evan Roos (Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Cheetahs), Ruben van Heerden (Stormers), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Ruan Venter (Lions), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls).

Backs - Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Suleiman Hartzenberg (Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), Jordan Hendrikse (Lions), Quan Horn (Lions), Herschel Jantjies (Stormers), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Sanele Nohamba (Lions), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Henco van Wyk (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers).

Morgan Piek OFM Sport