La Rochelle sign Springbok tighthead on a short-term deal

The Bulls have confirmed that experienced tighthead prop Marcel van der Merwe will be joining French side La Rochelle on a short-term loan as injury cover.

Van der Merwe has plenty of experience in France having just last year return to the Bulls from Toulon.

La Rochelle are still within a chance of securing a domestic and European double this year was they they trail Toulouse by just three points in the TOP14 are set to host Leinster in the Champions Cup semi-finals.

Here's wishing Marcel van der Merwe well for his short stint in France with La Rochelle. He will be joining them as a medical joker 👊#TrueToTheBlue pic.twitter.com/5HMV2I7DSV

— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) April 14, 2021

Van der Merwe’s played over 100 times for Top 14 giants Toulon and returns to France looking to make a claim for a Springbok recall after a less than impressive start to his return to the Bulls.

He is the second Springbok to sign a deal in France, following the news that Elton Jantjies has taken up a short term deal with the Pau.