AUDIO: Scarlets star to give Boks 'two-for-one special'

SPOTLIGHT: Scarlets hooker Marnus van der Merwe is not taking this weekend’s opportunity in the Springbok jersey lightly.

Van der Merwe has been selected on the bench for the exhibition match against the Barbarians at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

The 28-year-old’s inclusion in the Springbok squad has been one of the headlines and a long time coming.

The Nelspruit-born forward joined the Scarlets last season from the Cheetahs and quickly became a standout for the Welsh side.

In just one season, he has made 25 appearances across the United Rugby Championship (URC) and European Challenge Cup, standing out for his fierce work rate at the breakdown, solid set-piece execution, and ball-carrying impact.

His performances earned him a URC Elite XV selection and he looks like an ideal replacement for Deon Fourie, as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus looks to build depth at hooker.

Speaking to reporters in Cape Town, the hooker said he has tried to model parts of his game on both Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx – not only speacilzinng in set-pieces and carries, but focusing on the breakdown too.

“If you look at how the Springboks have played in recent years – Malcolm coming on as an impact player, and Bongi being solid in set-pieces – you learn a lot.

“As a player, you want to be the best, and you look at what makes them special.

“I’ve taken a few elements from both of their games and tried to grow by studying them.

“I just put my head down and decided I want to specialise in that.”

The 28-year-old  stated that since joining the camp, the two-time World Cup winner Bongi Mbonambi has been a key mentor.

“In the first week, I must have asked Bongi 20 questions.

“I’m taking my opportunity, learning everything I can, and hopefully delivering a good performance this weekend.”

He also highlighted how much he has learned in just two weeks, especially from assistant coaches Tony Brown and Jerry Flannery.

“The way Tony and Jerry see the game – I’ve learned so much about how to improve.

“I think I’ve improved more in the last two weeks than I did in a year.

“It’s hard work being here, and even harder to stay here.”

He continued: “The way the different Springbok coaches see the game is different.

“Every coach has an input, and it helps a lot. If you have any questions, they will show you in detail what to do and how to do it.

“They show you how small things can change your game, like getting off the ground. No one thinks about it, it’s a small thing, but just getting off the ground can change your game, and that is what I’ve tried to do now.”

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Van der Merwe revealed that when he left the Cheetahs,  he mapped out a two-year plan on how he would make the Springboks squad.

However, his amazing season at Scarlets has fast-forwarded that and he is determined not to take it for granted.

“I didn’t think the call-up to the Springbok camp would come this quickly,” Van der Merwe stated.

“I told my wife [Anika van der Merwe], I had a two-year plan to get into the setup.

“If it happened, great. If not, we’d make a new plan.

“But to get here in a year is unbelievable. So we just had to move the plans forward.

“Nonetheless, I’ll take it. Anyone in the squad will grab this opportunity with both hands.”

He praised the Scarlets for backing him every step of the way.

“When we got the call from the Springboks, we spoke to the Scarlets coaches about how they would support me.

“We knew the Boks had things they wanted to do, and we went to them with a plan to see how I could improve my game.

“Credit to Scarlets for helping get ot where I am, because they really stood by me.”

Van der Merwe added: “There are a lot of players who already have Bok caps and went overseas but are still in the squad.

“So I always kept my hopes up.

“But for someone like me, without a cap, to actually get into the Springbok camp while playing abroad – I don’t take that lightly.

“I’m going to work hard and give it everything.”

When asked if he would consider returning to South Africa, Van der Merwe replied: “My wife and I don’t have fixed plans. We’re seeing what comes up.

“It’s my first time in this environment, so I’m taking it week by week, training by training.

“Based on what the Springboks set out, we’ll plan. If I’m here, she can travel.

“But when people approach us, we’ll sit down and talk – it affects her too, and she has to be happy.”