Leinster have moved to fill the void left by CJ van der Linde by signing Heinke van der Merwe from the Lions.
Lions prop to replace van der Linde
Leinster have moved to fill the void left by CJ van der Linde by signing Heinke van der Merwe from the Lions.
Van der Linde has returned to South Africa to sign for the Cheetahs after a successful stint with the Irish province.
However Leinster have replaced him with the another South African in the shape of 25-year-old van der Merwe, who was capped once by the Springboks in 2007.
And van der Merwe will arrive in the Irish capital on a two-year deal once his wife Nicole has given birth.
"We will have a baby and are leaving our home and our country for two years, so amidst all the nerves and tension, we are both very excited," van der Merwe said.
"This is an opportunity that has come up, that I certainly couldn't say no to it.
"In two years' time, I will have gained some invaluable experience and skills, and will gladly come back to the Lions as they have first option to retain my services. I grew up at the Lions and will remain loyal to them."
