The Sale Sharks and the Durban Sharks are battling it out for the services of Springboks winger Edwill van der Merwe, according to reports.
Van der Merwe’s contract with the Lions expires at the end of the current season and the winger is reportedly weighing up his options.
The 28-year-old enjoyed a stunning debut for the Boks last year scoring at Twickenham against Wales but was robbed of the opportunity to increase his cap tally due to a long-term injury.
Sale swoop for another Lion
According to Rapport, the Lions winger who has scored six times in 14 appearances so far this season, has caught the eye of Sale Sharks who recently announced the signing of Marius Louw.
Sale are renowned for its South African contingent with the Du Preez brothers Jean-Luc, Dan and Robert all currently on their payroll as well as Ernst van Rhyn. Previously the likes of Faf de Klerk, Lood de Jager, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Akker van der Merwe, Cobus Wiese and Coenie Oosthuizen all played for the Manchester-based outfit.
The report adds that they will face stiff competition from the Durban-based Sharks who are also eager to add the fleet-footed winger to their books while the possibility of Van der Merwe remaining at the Lions is still on the table.
Van der Merwe could add to his Test cap tally this year after he received an invite to the Springboks alignment camps and has been in sterling form for the Lions in the United Rugby Championship and Challenge Cup.
Sharks to lose Lappies, Van Zyl re-signs
While the South African Sharks could be adding one of the most exciting wingers in the country to their playing stocks next season, they look set to bid farewell to flanker Lappies Labuschagne.
According to Rapport, the blindside flanker has signed a deal to join Japanese club Canon Eagles – the same team where Faf de Klerk and Jesse Kriel ply their trade.
The 25-year-old has reportedly agreed a deal with the team and will depart the Sharks having represented the Durbanites since 2019.
This comes after the Sharks confirmed the departure of James Venter, who will join Premiership club Gloucester, while prop Ntuthuko Mchunu makes the move to the Stormers.
👀 Rassie Erasmus sets clear requirements for ‘older’ Springboks to ‘prolong their careers’
Elsewhere former Springboks scrum-half Ivan van Zyl has signed a two-year contract extension with Saracens.
The 29-year-old has made over 90 appearances for the London-based side since making the move from the Bulls in 2021 and has won a Premiership title with the side scoring a crucial try in the 2022/23 final.
“As a family there is nowhere else we would want to be than here. This is home for us away from South Africa and I am grateful to extend my time with Sarries. It’s been an honour to captain the side at points this season and I look forward to continuing to give my all in a Saracens shirt,” Van Zyl said.
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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/sharks-battle-it-out-for-springboks-speedsters-signature-as-sale-target-second-lions-back
