Schalk Van Der Merwe joins Lurgan RC

The South Affrican, who was released by Ulster in December 2018, will join the club as their new specialist scrum coach and player.

This new position has come about from the numerous feedback forms given by the players to the club’s coaching staff since the premature ending of our rugby season.

“What an asset Schalk will be, having played as a front row forward for the Lions in South Africa and then he played in France before joining Ulster and then returned to South Africa to play for the Cheetah’s” said the club’s Facebook page.

“His last game in South Africa was playing for the Cheetah’s in the semi final of the Currie Cup against Western Province which the Cheetah’s won.

“ They are now the current holders of the Currie Cup.

“He is still only 28 and is now living in Lurgan.

“What a senior coaching set up we now have with Bruce Cornelius, Jason Wallace, Chris Allen and now Schalk Van Der Merwe.

“Schalk said “he is raring to go and get training with his new team mates the moment the lock down is over”.

“We also welcome Paula (Schalk’s wife) and his sons to the club.

“All of them are future Lurgan Tigers.