Scarlets can confirm that hooker Marnus van der Merwe will be leaving the club at the end of the 2025-26 season to join Irish province Munster.
Marnus has made a significant contribution during his time in West Wales, both on and off the field, and the club would like to thank him for his professionalism, commitment and impact within the group and wish him and his wife well next season.
Marnus joined the Scarlets at the start of the 2024-25 campaign from South African side Toyota Cheetahs and has played 38 matches, scoring three tries.
The 29-year-old won the Supporters’ Player-of-the-Season award in his first campaign, was named in the URC’s ‘Elite XV’ and earned a Test debut for the Springboks.
He said: “I have loved my time at the Scarlets, it is a special club with special people who have made myself and my wife feel welcome from the first day we came here. I’d like to thank my team-mates, coaches, staff and, of course, all the fans for that.
“Having the opportunity here has helped me realise my dream of pulling on the Springboks jersey and I am proud to have achieved that while representing the Scarlets.
“It will be sad saying farewell, but we have some big games remaining at Parc y Scarlets this season and my focus is firmly on playing my part in helping the side deliver the results we deserve.”
Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “Marnus has made a significant contribution to our club during his time here, he’s a ferocious competitor who demands high standards and the young forwards we have at the club will have learned a lot from him.
“We are also proud of the role Scarlets has played in his development and to see him go on to achieve international recognition with his first cap for South Africa is a reflection of the environment and standards we strive to create.”
Davies added: “What is important is that Scarlets continue to keep focus for the rest of this season, work hard and move forward with clarity and ambition.
“We have a strong and united Board fully committed to the future of professional rugby in West Wales and that commitment is underlined by ongoing investment in our facilities and performance environment.
“We are continuing to build an exciting and highly-motivated squad of talented rugby players here at Parc y Scarlets. There is genuine energy around the group and we are actively working to strengthen the squad further for next season. We are confident in the direction we are heading.
“The Scarlets’ focus remains on creating a connected, competitive and ambitious environment where players can grow, succeed and achieve their goals with a squad that reflects the values and ambition of the club and its supporters.”