Bulls tie down Bok lock
Springbok lock Flip van der Merwe has signed a contract extension with the Blue Bulls that will keep him at the Pretoria franchise until 2014.
Van der Merwe had considered several offers both locally and from overseas but decided to continue his career with the Blue Bulls, where he became a Springbok.
The burly lock, who has played 71 Super Rugby matches for the Bulls, has established himself in the No.4 jersey and hopes to continue to thrive in the role in the future.
"It was an easy decision for me to make. I originally came to Pretoria to learn from Springbok legends like Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha and I have learnt a lot from them. I love my rugby here and feel I have a lot more to contribute to the Bulls and their fans in the future," Van der Merwe said.
Coach Frans Ludeke was delighted at Van der Merwe’s decision to stay in the Bulls family.
"Flip has been one of the most committed, hard-working players at the Bulls and he is the rock in our pack of forwards that always gives 100 percent. We are ecstatic to have him here to continue to contribute to the Bulls success," he said.