Former Springbok lock announces his retirement

Former Springbok second-rower Flip van der Merwe has announced that he will be retiring at the end of the season and intends to stay in Clermont.

Van der Merwe enjoyed a long and successful career spanning over 13 years. The 33-year-old attended the famed Grey College before he joined the Free State Cheetahs and made his first-class debut in 2006.

In 2009, he joined the Bulls and went on to win the Super Rugby title with the side in 2010 and earned a call up to the Springbok squad making his test debut off the French against France in Cape Town. He went on to make 37 test appearances in the Green and Gold with the last of which coming against Argentina in 2015. 

Confirming the news van der Merwe said "I'm going to stop at the end of the season"

"when your body tells you stop, you have to listen to it and be honest".

Clermont still have an opportunity of winning two titles this season as they currently sit in second place in the Top 14 and will face La Rochelle in the Challenge Cup final.

The former Springbok said that it would be a nice way to bring an end to his career if his side could win both titles.

He is set to make his 80th appearance for Clermont against Perpignan this weekend.