The Springboks in a huddle Ireland Test World Cup
An overseas-based rugby star has set his sights on a Springbok call up after increasingly coming into the national picture.
When looking at the Springboks’ squad, the one position where they undoubtedly need to build some depth is at hooker.
As we saw at the last World Cup when Malcolm Marx was injured, the Springboks had to turn to veteran utility forward Deon Fourie to serve as the back-up hooker to Bongi Mbonambi despite the fact he wasn’t a specialist in this position.
With this in mind, Marnus van der Merwe – who has made a massive impact since moving from the Cheetahs to Wales-based Scarlets – could be a bolter who comes into the picture.
On the Springbok radar
The Nelspruit-born forward was selected for the Springboks’ wider alignment camp in February of last year, and the 28-year-old readily admits that playing international rugby remains a big ambition.
“I think as a child, any South African watching the game, with the Springboks doing well, everyone wants to play for that team, just like people in Wales who grew up watching their team,” he says.
“So everyone wants to play for their nation. It’s definitely a thing I am going for, but I focus on the next thing which is helping the Scarlets where I can.
“Then, through that, I hope the Springbok coaches can see what I bring and see that I have the talent to be there.
“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. Hopefully that’s enough.”
