Van der Merwe won the last of his three test caps against England last year in Bloemfontein in the same Springbok team as Faf de Klerk, now his teammate at Sale. 979 Third Avenue. Get a Super Rugby Aotearoa Rest-of-Season Pass now for just £19.99! Sale players to race off the Sandy Park pitch last weekend. Lively hooker Armand van der Merwe, better known as Akker, was born in Vanderbijlpark and grew up in George where he played rugby for Outeniqua High School to win inclusion in the SWD Eagles Under-16 side for the 2007 Grant Khomo Week and their Under-18 side for the 2008 Academy Week and 2009 Craven Week competitions. That second successive European loss to Exeter seriously damaged Sale’s hopes in the competition which means attention now turns to the Premiership and the arrival of top of the table Northampton, who have just endured two hammerings by Leinster in Europe, conceding a debilitating 93 points in those losses. The Springbok management are using the three alignment camps to accelerate preparations […] RugbyPass is the premier destination for rugby fans across the globe, with all the best rugby news, analysis, shows, highlights, podcasts, documentaries, live match statistics, fixtures & results, and much more! Springbok hooker Akker van der Merwe will also make a return to the team via the bench and should offer plenty of firepower when he comes on. CAPE TOWN - English Premiership side Sale Sharks announced the capture of Springboks flyhalf Robert du Preez and hooker Akker van der Merwe … Snubbed Joe Marler Tweets snarky reaction to Gatland's Lions squad. ... Sale have also signed South African internationals Robert du Preez and Akker van der Merwe… The red card was Brits' first of his Super Rugby career. Springbok hooker Akker van der Merwe Published on October 30, 2018 Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says Akker van der Merwe was left out of the squad for the November Tests because he needs Schalk Brits’ experience. “For the meantime, though, along with Rob (du Preez), I am fully committed to the Sharks, and I will be doing everything I can to be as successful as possible in my final season in Durban.”, NEW SIGNING | Sale Sharks are delighted to announce the signing of @Akker_vd_Merwe for the 19/20 #GallagherPrem Season!Read more here https://t.co/NFFcxGFvBl#SharkByName #SharkByNature @UKFast pic.twitter.com/cS2cUiGquG. And that list will be something official, as Erasmus announced at the weekend that as part of a new contracting model for potential national team players, there will be a group of 75 rated and paid an additional amount of money, apart from their franchise contracts. twitter. If you are not on it every week you will lose. Springbok and Sharks hooker, Akker van der Merwe, has been banned for three weeks for his role in the bust-up with fellow Springbok hooker, Schalk Britz, of the Bulls in Durban on Saturday.The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee accepted a guilty plea from Sharks hooker after he was red carded against the Bulls. South Africa first played Test rugby in 1891, against a British Isles touring team. Van der Merwe is arguably fourth in line in the Springbok hooker pecking order behind Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi and veteran Schalk Brits, but will use this Super Rugby season to prove that he should move up that list. Thoughts and prayers are with his family https://t.co/GG8zjLY9ZG, — RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 19, 2019. [52] Responsing to unverified claims, Duhan confirmed that he was not named after Irish folk musician Johnny Duhan and his brother Akker was not named after clarinetist Acker Bilk . The Springboks made their Rugby World Cup debut in 1995, when the newly democratic South Africa hosted the tournament and the team, under the captaincy of Francois Pienaar, defeated the All Blacks in the final (15-12), a moment which is remembered as one of the greatest in South Africa's sporting history. Sale Sharks are pleased to announce the signing of Springbok Akker van der Merwe from the Cell-C Sharks. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images), “We haven’t delivered that 80 mins performance yet and this is a really important time of the season. There is already a strong Springbok contingent at the club headed by de Klerk along with Rob Du Preez and his brothers Jean-Luc and Dan plus prop Coenie Oosthuizen who were all part of the Sharks Super Rugby squad with van der Merwe last season. “He is a world-class player, and he will be an excellent addition to the squad, alongside Rob Webber.”, © 2021 Independent Online and affiliated companies. “And we are specifically targeting forwards with our recruitment drive this year, so I am delighted to announce the signing of Akker. The Chiefs and Crusaders have forged a fierce rivalry in the past decade with a new chapter set for Saturday. Sharks and Springbok hooker Akker van der Merwe will quit South African domestic rugby at the end of the current Super Rugby season in order to ply his trade with Sale in the English Premiership. “It will make me a better player and the dream is still to play for the Springboks. Set piece dominance is what we look to achieve and back in Super Rugby while the teams aren’t weaker, you expect to get your four points against the bottom teams but here the bottom side can beat the top one. FOTO: Instagram / @akkervandermerwe. The club announced on … Deur Dean Paulse 27 Junie 2018 facebook. Van der Merwe – the brother of Springbok hooker Akker – has been a sensation for Edinburgh in the Guinness PRO14, and tops several of their stats after a disrupted season. The 15 huge omissions from the 2021 Lions squad, Warren Gatland names his official 2021 British and Irish Lions squad, Premium feature exclusive to TheXV.Rugby - Free Trial. However, Northampton are set to recall likes of Cobus Reinach, Courtney Lawes, David Ribbans, Mike Haywood, Teimana Harrison, Rory Hutchinson, Tom Collins and George Furbank to try and maintain their Premiership position. Van der Merwe was one of the first Sale players to race off the Sandy Park pitch last weekend as hail forced the referee to halt the Heineken Champions Cup loss to Exeter for a short period in the second half. Are the All Blacks going to do the impossible and play less but make more money? The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Sharks hooker Akker van der Merwe for contravening Law 9.12: A player must not physically abuse anyone, after he was red carded against the Bulls in Durban on Saturday. The hooker scored two tries in the first of those two Heineken Champions Cup defeats by Exeter to showcase his attacking skills, but it is the piano shifting rather than the piano playing that is the key part of a hooker’s game to ensure quality ball from scrum and line out. As a result, van der Merwe is expecting to face a Northampton backlash that will severely test Sale’s own credentials as potential top four finishers. De Klerk was in the international wilderness when he arrived at Sale but his performances for the Premiership club earned him a recall which led to a World Cup winner’s medal in Japan. There cannot be a more contrasting display of two rugby players’ personalities than the punch-up between Schalk Brits and Akker van der Merwe in 2019. Springbok hooker Akker van der Merwe survived a match halting hail storm at Exeter and is now determined to stop a Northampton storm from knocking Sale’s bid for a top-four Premiership place off course. “I had never played in hail before and when the ref said “time off” I was probably the first one into the dressing room. Duhan van der Merwe, brother of Springbok hooker Akker, is the only South African-born player in the British and Irish Lions squad announced on Thursday. Van der Merwe is the younger brother of Akker van der Merwe, also a professional rugby union player who plays at hooker. Van der Merwe told RugbyPass: “We scored a try at Exeter and then Jono (Ross, Sale captain) came running back and just smiled at me as the hail started. It is a lot different from Durban and I don’t think I have ever been to a place (Manchester) where it rains so much! Van der Merwe won the last of his three test caps against England last year in Bloemfontein in the same Springbok team as Faf de Klerk, now his teammate at Sale. Sharks hooker Akker van der Merwe has been sanctioned by SANZAAR over a fist fight. Akker van der Merwe, the former Lion who was now in fine form for the Sharks and the veteran Schalk Brits, who had returned from retirement to give it one last crack. “It is nice to run with the ball but my primary work is in the tight and I need to get all of those things right before I start thinking about open play.”, In the New Year van der Merwe will be throwing lineout ball to World Cup-winning Springbok lock Lood de Jager who will arrive at Sale after recovering from a serious shoulder injury suffered in the final against England in Yokohama. New York. “So, we are really excited about joining the club and experiencing a new lifestyle in Manchester. Both were involved in an ugly on-field altercation when the Vodacom Bulls played the Sharks. Springbok hookers Schalk Brits and Akker van der Merwe were both sent to the sin bin for the remainder of the game following a punch up before the hour mark. David Havili is showcasing his wide-range of skills week after week and deserves an All Blacks call-up. The Crusaders have surprised the rugby world by making perhaps their highest profile signing ever. Argentina's muscular pack will present an excellent test of South Africa's front-row form according to Springbok forwards coach Matt Proudfoot. “I am good mates with Faf de Klerk, and having spoken with him, he only has good things to say about Sale. The 30-cap eligibility rule for overseas-based Boks will also be removed, opening the way for players to be based anywhere in the world and still have the chance to make the national team. Just a few hours after Robert du Preez’s departure to English club Sale was unveiled, his Sharks teammate Akker van der Merwe was also revealed as a Sale player. The hooker made a total of 11 starts out of the 17 matches that the Sharks played in the 2018 Super Rugby season, coming off the bench on four occasions. sarugbymag.co.za - Andre-Pierre Cronje • 40d. I have just started a family, and after considering all my options with them, I feel this is the best one to take for us as a family,” the 27-year-old – who got married recently – said in a statement. After missing out on a chance to go to the Rugby World Cup in 2019, Akker van der Merwe is in a race against time to earn selection for the Lions … Sharks and Springbok hooker Akker van der Merwe will quit South African domestic rugby at the end of the current Super Rugby season in order to ply his trade with Sale in the English Premiership. Die 27-jarige rugbyspeler Akker van der Merwe het op sy Instagram-blad aangekondig dat hy verloof is. Akker van der Merwe (left) and Robert Du Preez have both played for South Africa. Die Springbok-haker Akker van der Merwe het Angie Buys die jawoord gevra ná ’n helikopterrit in Durban. His regular position is … '. “Now we are facing Northampton and after the Leinster results, their boys will be hungrier and up for it and it will be a tough battle. Having swapped the sun of Durban for Manchester’s inclement weather, fifth placed Sale need van der Merwe and his South African mates to help make this a winning Happy Christmas – despite the weather. The Springbok prop will join Sale Sharks on a three year deal next season. Terribly sad news coming out of France. Van der Merwe earned three Test caps against England last year, and will look to force his way into the World Cup squad this season. The Pumas, meanwhile, have ex-Sharks players in scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer ― who some would argue was not given a fair shot after the departure of Cobus Reinach ― and flank Francois Kleinhans. email. Sharks hooker Van der Merwe banned for 3 weeks 1 April 2019, 1:54 PM. ALSO READ: Wales stalwart Alun Wyn Jones to captain British and Irish Lions on tour to SA. Rassie Erasmus’ announcement about the new way of doing things at the Springboks weren’t even cold before two national players stated that they’re leaving Mzansi. Sale Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond said: “In order to really compete in this competition, you need to have two good options in most positions. “I feel the time is right in my career for a move away from South Africa. Van der Merwe has seen plenty more action in the starting lineup since joining the Sharks from the Lions, where in 2017 he predominantly provided cover to Malcolm Marx. Super Rugby Aotearoa Final: Crusaders vs Chiefs LIVE for just £5! Hy het onlangs sy baard geskeer om eksieperfeksie te lyk wanneer hy die groot vraag vra. Suite 1510 New York, NY 10022 PH: 212.644.3535 info@studiovandenakker.com If Jono Ross’s analysis of Akker van der Merwe as ‘Schalk Brits with added physicality’ turns out to be accurate Sale Sharks could be going places next season. Van der Merwe has been suspended from all forms of the game for 3 weeks, up to and including April 19, 2019. Akker van der Merwe (Hooker, Sharks) Marco van Staden (Loose forward, Bulls) Warren Whiteley (No 8, Lions) Backs (15): Lukhanyo Am (Centre, Sharks) Ross Cronjé (Scrumhalf, Lions) Faf de Klerk (Scrumhalf, Sale Sharks) Aphiwe Dyantyi (Wing, Lions) André Esterhuizen (Centre, Sharks) Elton Janjies (Flyhalf, Lions) Jesse Kriel (Centre, Bulls) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Armand H P 'Akker' van der Merwe (born 17 June 1991 in Vanderbijlpark) is a rugby union player for English Premiership side Sale Sharks. De Klerk was in the international wilderness when he arrived at Sale but his performances for the Premiership club earned him a recall which led to a World Cup winner’s medal in Japan. Van der Merwe, the younger brother of Springbok hooker Akker, has been outstanding for Edinburgh over the last four years, which earned him selection to the Scotland Test side in 2020. Van der Merwe believes playing in England will make him a more complete player and hopes to relaunch his own test career. The weather makes it a lot more difficult to move the ball wide and so the forwards have to be on their game all the time. Blues winger Tanielu Tele'a has also been punished over a separate incident. If anything, Sharks hooker Armand “Akker” van der Merwe (27) looks more like a nervous schoolkid – even if he does tip the scales at 108kg and sports the kind of … Akker van der Merwe was also judged to have headbutted Brits who reacted. The aggressive No 2 will join his current flyhalf at the Manchester club, where they will be made to feel at home by another familiar face, Faf de Klerk. Alice Soper is thankful ahead of the landmark fixture between the Blues and Chiefs Women's teams. I am here to test myself against the best and I am looking forward to the battle on Saturday – there is definitely going to be one. All the changes come as a result of SA Rugby realising that there is no way they can compete with the pound, euro and yen any longer. Van der Merwe is arguably fourth in line in the Springbok hooker pecking order behind Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi and veteran Schalk Brits, but will use this Super Rugby season to … Akker van der Merwe is one of five Durban-based Sharks that headed to the north-west of England. The lively hooker will make the switch to the AJ Bell Stadium after the conclusion of … For Van der Merwe, who grew up in George on the Republic's south coast and one day dreamed of pulling on the famous Springbok green and gold, it would be a strange twist of fate. Over the next three weeks, we must finish the year well.”. As the competition between these two players reached its zenith, matters got out of hand. Akker a European colossus. Springbok Akker van der Merwe is verloof! “Playing here is going to challenge me in a way I haven’t been challenged before,” he added. All rights reserved, Please visit the official Government information portal for Coronavirus by clicking HERE. Springbok and Sharks hooker, Akker van der Merwe, has been banned for three weeks for his role in the bust-up with fellow Springbok hooker, Schalk Britz, of the Bulls in Durban on Saturday. 'Hoewel Angie gek is oor my baard, wil Anrich dit heeltyd trek. Fifteen Cell C Sharks players, including the uncapped Sbu Nkosi, André Esterhuizen, Robert du Preez, Cameron Wright, Thomas du Toit and Akker van der Merwe, have been invited to the third and final Springbok alignment camp, in Durban from 22 to 25 April. Sign up to our mailing list for a weekly digest from the wide world of rugby. DDB. Van der Merwe, the younger brother of Springbok hooker Akker, has been outstanding for Edinburgh over the last four years, which earned him selection to the Scotland Test side in 2020. The Lions’ tour to South Africa is scheduled to kick off on July 3 with a match against the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium. Matters got out of hand zenith, matters got out of hand new lifestyle in.. Playing HERE is going to do the impossible and play less but make more money the official Government portal! Dit heeltyd trek Soper is thankful ahead of the game for 3 weeks, up and. From all forms of the landmark fixture between the blues and Chiefs Women 's teams weekend! 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