Van der Merwe clears fitness test to bolster Munster and Springboks ahead of URC opener

Marnus van der Merwe has passed a fitness test and is available for Munster selection after overcoming the calf injury that had sidelined him since his arrival in Ireland, with the province’s URC campaign beginning against Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park in just over a week.

The South Africa hooker, who earned the third of his three Springbok caps in the record 43-10 victory over New Zealand in Wellington last November, picked up the calf problem near the end of his second season in West Wales. He has now returned to full training and is in contention for Munster’s final pre-season fixture ahead of the Saturday 17:30 kick-off against Glasgow.

Alex Nankivell has also returned to contention after missing the pre-season game against La Rochelle with a knock, having been involved in last week’s training run at Crescent College Comprehensive. Fly-half JJ Hanrahan remains unavailable with concussion, while hooker Max Clein is sidelined with a neck injury.

Van der Merwe’s recovery carries significance beyond Munster. South Africa were forced to call on 39-year-old Deon Fourie as back-up to World Rugby Player of the Year Malcolm Marx during the recent series against New Zealand, with Fourie becoming the Springboks’ oldest international when he appeared in the second Test in Cape Town, surpassing Victor Matfield’s long-standing record.

Fourie’s performances during the series were far from those of a makeshift option, however, and he has not ruled out competing for a place at next year’s Rugby World Cup. “It’s still a long way away and a lot of games to be played before then,” he said. “If the body holds up and I can still perform at the top level, why not?”

That form means Van der Merwe faces a genuine battle to reclaim the second hooker berth for the Springboks, but his return to fitness at least ensures Munster head into the new URC season with their front-row options intact. Munster A will also be in action this weekend, hosting Connacht Eagles on the Thomond Park back pitch on Friday at 13:00.