Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
DTH van der Merwe is set to play in Major League Rugby beginning in the 2021 season. The long-time Canadian international and Glasgow Warriors star revealed the move in conversation with South African outlet Sport24. He confirmed his departure from Glasgow earlier this year.
“I can’t go into detail because it’s not a done deal yet but it’s highly likely I’ll be going to MLR in the United States. There are a couple of options available to me but I’m pretty close to nailing it down.”
Americas Rugby News has learned that van der Merwe now has a verbal agreement with a team based in the USA though it’s not yet clear which one. MLR’s only Canadian team, the Toronto Arrows, were not in the running for his services having already signed a soon-to-be-revealed international to replace outgoing captain Dan Moor.
van der Merwe announced the end of his 13-year test career after playing in his fourth Rugby World Cup last year. Somewhat surprisingly, however, in a recent Looseheadz podcast episode the 34-year-old has not ruled out a potential return for Canada down the road.
“I still think I’ve got another two years of rugby left in me, even more maybe after that. Someone even joked the other day, well is there’s a fifth World Cup in you? Although I retired last year, if I play for two more years and the body feels good, what’s one more year? We’ll just cross that bridge when we get to it.”
Primarily a left wing but also an accomplished outside center at international level, van der Merwe scored a record 38 tries in 61 tests for Canada. He is Glasgow’s all-time leading try scorer and second only to former British & Irish Lions starter Tommy Bowe in all-time Guinness Pro Championship tries.
