Franco Smith has bolstered his Glasgow Warriors pack with the signing of South African loose forward Ruwald van der Merwe. The 27-year-old powerhouse joins the Scottish outfit on a two-year deal following a stellar stint with the Pumas in the Currie Cup.
The move marks the first major acquisition for the 2026/27 season under the guidance of former Springbok Smith. Van der Merwe earned his reputation as a physical specimen at the University of the Free State before anchoring the Pumas pack and captaining them to the 2025 SA Cup title during a dominant 11-match unbeaten run.
“Ruwald is a player that we have been keeping an eye on for a while. He is a strong carrier who brings a real work ethic to everything he does. We know that the Warrior Nation will welcome him with open arms.” – Franco Smith
Standing 1.89m and weighing in at 110kg, the flanker provides the grit required for the United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup. He will link up with fellow South African Henco Venter at Scotstoun once the current domestic season in South Africa concludes.
“I am incredibly excited to join. Supporters can expect a physical edge from me. Coming from South Africa, that is something I take pride in. I enjoy carrying hard and contributing physically on defence and at set-piece time.” – Ruwald van der Merwe
The signing is a clear signal of intent from Smith to add more muscle to the Warriors pack. Van der Merwe brings a mix of explosive carrying and leadership experience that proved vital during his time in Nelspruit as reported by official club media.
📸 Photos via Pumas Rugby
