Springbok lock Flip van der Merwe has been released from his contract at the Vodacom Blue Bulls with immediate effect.
While the Bulls initially decided that Van der Merwe was necessary for their Absa Currie Cup campaign, his call-up to the Springboks a few weeks ago negated this and they had to find a way to do without him.
The Bulls initially were worried about a lack of experience in the team but their good start to the Currie Cup season, where they are still unbeaten after four matches has led them to back their youngsters.
When Van der Merwe didn’t make the cut for the Springbok squad to the Rugby World Cup, it was decided to release him from his contract so that he could further his career in France.(How in the world does pap victor get in before even Flip. One of the most astounding cases of blind spots in the history of rugby!)
Van der Merwe signed with French top 14 club Clermont during this year’s Vodacom Super Rugby season at the same time another Bulls lock, Jacques du Plessis, signed with Montpellier.
Du Plessis has played Currie Cup this year for the Bulls and like another Bok, Francois Hougaard, actually asked to be part of the Currie Cup squad for the rest of the season to try and help rookie coach Nollis Marais through his first season in charge.
The Bulls are expected to release a statement later confirming Van der Merwe’s departure.
