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Is this the start of latest Lions exodus?

By Annemie Bester
Monday 31 Mar 2025

NEWS: Springbok wing Edwill van der Merwe is the latest high-profile player to leave the Lions.

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The Ellis Park-based franchise confirmed on Monday that their star wing is leaving at the end of the season, opting not to ‘renew his contract’.

The Sharks later confirmed the signing of Van der Merwe,  following the announcement from the Lions that he would depart the Johannesburg-based franchise at the end of the season.

Van der Merwe is sadly another high-profile player leaving the struggling Lions in what can only be seen as a franchise not willing to pay top players to retain their services.

The article continues below…

 

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Over the last two years the Tsthituka brothers, Vincent and Emmanuel, flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse (all Sharks) and scrumhalf Sanele Nohambe (Blue Revs, Japan) have left in search of greener pastures.

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More recently captain Marius Louw announced he is leaving for Sale Sharks in the Premiership at the end of the season.

Other recent departures include scrumhalf Johan Mulder, who was the Man of the Match in Cardiff’s win over the Lions earlier this month, Hanru Sirgel (Grenoble), Tyler Bocks (Ealing Trailfinders) and Ruan Dreyer (Sharks).

Could Van der Merwe’s departure be the impetus for an exodus of high-profile players – a phenomenon that is all too familiar at the battling Lions?

As Van der Merwe heads to Durban he can look forward to rubbing shoulders with his Springbok teammates Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Jordan Jaden Hendrikse, and Grant Williams in the backline.

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The 28-year-old Van der Merwe joined the Lions in 2021 from the Stormers where he thrived, making his Test debut in June last year against Wales at Twickenham.

@rugby365com

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