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Johannesburg - The Springboks have placed an SOS to big Bulls lock Flip van der Merwe to join them for the remainder of the Tri Nations away leg in Australasia.
Van der Merwe confirmed to Supersport.com that he will fly out Tuesday night to join his Springbok team-mates in Wellington as a replacement for Bok lock Bakkies Botha.
This will mean that the Bulls will have supplied all four their first choice locks to the Springboks at the moment, with 12 of their number (including Botha) unavailable for selection due to national commitments.
Botha was suspended for nine weeks following a head butt during last Saturday’s defeat at the hands of the All Blacks in Auckland and has since returned home. The big lock apologised for his actions but whether he will be allowed to return in the Tri Nations still waits to be seen.
In the meantime, Van der Merwe, who was left out of the touring squad by Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, has been given another chance to prove his worth. After his exceptional form in the Super 14, the former Free Stater will be relishing a chance to gain some worthwhile experience with the team while on tour.
“I’m leaving tonight,” he told Supersport.com, “I was on my way to gym this morning when I heard the news. I had to rush home and start packing.”
But while he had to change plans at short notice, the lock said he did have time for one telling phone call before he left. “It is wonderful to have the opportunity to join the Springboks and it is something we all strive for. Yes, it is bad about Bakkies, but after I got the call, I called him and chatted to him. Despite the circumstances he is still a player I admire and look up to.”
Van der Merwe has not been named in the starting line-up announced this morning (SA time) by coach Peter de Villiers but will be used if there is a late injury. He may be utilised as back-up for next weekend’s test match in Brisbane against the Wallabies.
The Bulls had mixed emotions about his departure, with forwards coach Johan van Graan wishing Van der Merwe well on tour.
“It is a big loss for us before a big game like the Sharks, but it is a great opportunity for Flip to gain more experience with the Boks,” Van Graan said. “We will always back our system – the same one that has now contributed four locks to the Bok squad. We will go to the next guy and back him to succeed.”
