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Glasgow Warriors have confirmed that DTH van der Merwe will leave the club at the conclusion of the Guinness Pro 14 season. When exactly that will be remains to be seen. The 2019-2020 campaign has been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic with talks ongoing about a possible resumption that looks increasingly unlikely.
If van der Merwe has played his last game for Glasgow it ends a remarkable innings at Scotstoun. Canada’s all-time leading try scorer is also the record holder for the Warriors with 54 tries in 123 appearances across all competitions. Combined with his efforts at Scarlets, van der Merwe is second only to former Ireland star Tommy Bowe in career Pro 14 tries.
This was the second stint with Glasgow for van der Merwe. He originally joined the club in 2009 after a brief spell with Saracens. After lifting the then-Pro 12 title in 2015 the South Africa-born winger spent two years in Wales with Scarlets, adding another league title in 2017. He then joined Newcastle Falcons but his stay was short-lived, opting instead to return to Glasgow halfway through the 2017-2018 season.
Having recently celebrated his 34th birthday and retired from international rugby, van der Merwe is in the twilight of his career but intends to continue playing for “another couple of years.” There has been no indication yet of his next destination.
The emergence of Ratu Tagive – brother of Austin Gilgronis back Peni Tagive – who now qualifies for Scotland on residency has allowed the Warriors to bid one of their greatest players farewell. Long-time test starter Sean Maitland is also strongly rumored to be joining the club with his own departure from Saracens now all but confirmed.
