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Sale Sharks raid namesakes for second Springbok in one day

Akker van der Merwe is unlikely to be the man behind the Barbarians' Twitter account. Photo: Getty

Sale Sharks have announced the signing of Springbok Akker van der Merwe from the Cell-C Sharks.

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He is the second Springbok the club have signed today following quickly on the heels of flyhalf Rob du Preez this lunchtime.

The lively hooker will make the switch to the AJ Bell Stadium after the conclusion of this year’s Super Rugby competition.

Van der Merwe burst onto the World Rugby scene in 2014 as a surprise inclusion in the Lions touring squad for the Super Rugby Season. Making his debut against the Chiefs in Hamilton, Akker scored his first try for the Lions a week later against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Following his debut season, he joined French Top-14 outfit Racing 92 on a short-term contract before returning to Johannesburg for the start of Super Rugby in 2016, notably helping them reach the final of the competition alongside current Sale Shark Faf De Klerk.

After making 50 top flight appearances for the Lions, in 2017 van der Merwe joined the Durban based Sharks where he helped the team to a Currie Cup Final in his first year, winning the competition a year later alongside Rob and Jean-Luc du Preez.

Known in South Africa as ‘The Raging Waterhog’ due to his constant energy and determination around the pitch, Akker made a real impact in his first season with the Sharks, earning his first call up to the Springboks for the 2018 June internationals he went on to make 3 appearances that summer for the national side.

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The hooker is currently joint top try scorer in the 2019 Super Rugby competition, with three tries to his name in two games.

The 27-year-old was excited about the prospect of a move to the Gallagher Premiership, he said:

“I feel the time is right in my career for a move away from South Africa. I have just started a family and after considering all my options with them, I feel this is the best one to take for us as a family. I am good mates with Faf De Klerk and having spoken with him, he only has good things to say about Sale so we are really excited about joining the club and experiencing a new lifestyle in Manchester.

For the meantime though, along with Rob I am fully committed to the Cell C Sharks and I will be doing everything I can to be as successful as possible in my final season in Durban.”

Sale Sharks Director of Rugby Steve Diamond was delighted to secure the services of Akker ahead of next season, he said:

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“I am delighted to announce the signing of Akker. He is a world class player and he will be an excellent addition to the squad.”

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R
RedWarrior 31 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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