DTH van der Merwe to leave Glasgow at end of season

DTH van der Merwe is to leave Glasgow Warriors at the end of the season, two and a bit years after returning for his second spell with the team. The Canadian winger, who celebrated his 34th birthday earlier this week, plans to keep playing but has yet to agree a deal with a new club.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better place to start my career, and I couldn’t have asked for a better return to the club,” he said. “I’m proud to have been a part of this club’s journey, from the days at Firhill to where we are today.

“I’m forever grateful for the opportunity Sean Lineen gave me at the start, as well as to Gregor Townsend and Dave Rennie for their faith in me. It’s not a goodbye – it’s a ‘see you in the future’, because it’s a special city and a special country.

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“I’m still looking to play for another couple of years – I’m not ready to call it quits yet! – but I’m looking forward to keeping an eye on Glasgow from wherever we end up next.”

Born in South Africa, Van der Merwe first joined Glasgow in 2009 after several seasons in Canadian club rugby. He made nearly 100 appearances in his first spell, with his final game before moving to Scarlets being the PRO12 final victory in 2015.

After two seasons with Scarlets which included another PRO14 title, he briefly joined Newcastle, leaving in March 2018 to return to Scotstoun. He has now made 123 appearances for the Warriors over the two spells, and is the team’s record try-scorer with a tally of 54. He scored in that final win over Munster five years ago, although his most memorable and possibly most important try came in the narrow semi-final win at home to Ulster.

“DTH is one of the best players to come out of Canada, and has the resumé to back it up including winning two PRO12 titles and playing in four Rugby World Cups,” said Warriors coach Dave Rennie, Van der Merwe’s third head coach at Glasgow following Lineen and Townsend. “He’s a powerful, explosive and hard-running winger with a massive work ethic.

“The importance of family and the close relationship with Warriors brought DTH back to Glasgow and he has been a major contributor to the club ever since. He’s a top man and we wish DTH, Gill and the kids well in their next endeavour.”