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Van der Merwe says the challenge of testing himself in a new environment helped him develop and pushed him towards international recognition.<\/p>\n
“The players here have stepped up and they helped me improve as much as I helped them,” he added.<\/p>\n
“We were hard on each other and tried to leave the jersey in a better place than we found it.”<\/p>\n
Asked what his main memory of the Scarlets would be, Van der Merwe pointed to fulfilling a lifelong ambition.<\/p>\n
“The friends I’ve made and the fact they have driven me to become a Springbok. I think that’s the main thing,” he said.<\/p>\n
“The coaching staff helped me achieve my dream and every step from the start I joined here they told me they wanted to push to get me there.<\/p>\n
“I’m grateful every step of the way for actually achieving that and making my dream come true, so I’m grateful for Scarlets for doing that. I’ll never forget this place.”<\/p>\n
Before his departure, Van der Merwe is hoping to help Scarlets finish the season strongly, starting with this weekend’s tough test in Llanelli against a Bulls side packed with Springbok talent.<\/p>\n
“They’re loaded with Springboks, a lot of good players, a lot of physical players,” he said.<\/p>\n
“They’re the favourites, so we as a team just go out there as the underdogs.<\/p>\n
“They are a good scrummaging side, a good mauling side, good ball runners, tough tackling and very physical.<\/p>\n
“We just need to step up physically, make sure we are in the game physically, then you will have a good game at hand.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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