Quick Facts
GeminiBiography
Armand Hendrik Petrus 'Akker' van der Merwe (born (1991-06-17)17 June 1991 in Vanderbijlpark) is a South African rugby union player, currently playing for Super Rugby side the Lions and Currie Cup side Golden Lions XV. His regular position is hooker.
Career
Youth
Although born in Vanderbijlpark, Van der Merwe grew up in George, where he played rugby for Outeniqua High School to win inclusion in the SWD Eagles Under-16 side for the 2007 Grant Khomo Week and their Under-18 side for the 2008 Academy Week and 2009 Craven Week competitions.
In 2010, he moved to Potchefstroom where he represented the Leopards and university side NWU Pukke. He was a regular for the Leopards U19 side during the 2010 Under-19 Provincial Championship competition, making thirteen appearances and in 2012, he made twelve appearances for the Leopards U21 side in the 2012 Under-21 Provincial Championship, scoring six tries.
He played Varsity Cup rugby for the NWU Pukke in 2013 and 2014. He made eight appearances and scored three tries in the 2014 competition, helping his side to the final, where they lost 39–33 to the UCT Ikey Tigers, with Van der Merwe scoring a try early in the second half.
Leopards
His senior debut came in 2013, when he was included in the senior Leopards XV side for the 2013 Vodacom Cup competition. He made his debut against the Golden Lions in Johannesburg, coming on as an early substitute. He also marked the occasion by scoring a try in injury time at the end of the match. Two more starts and three more substitute appearances (and one more try) followed during that competition.
His Currie Cup debut came in July 2013. He came on as a substitute on the hour mark at Olën Park in their 2013 Currie Cup First Division match against the eventual champions, the Pumas. While mainly being used as a substitute during the campaign (playing off the bench on eight occasions), he did one start in the competition against the Boland Cavaliers.
He made a further two appearances for the Leopards during the 2014 Currie Cup qualification tournament.
Lions
In April 2014, Van der Merwe was a surprise inclusion in the Lions touring squad for their Australian leg of the 2014 Super Rugby season. He made his Super Rugby debut against the Chiefs in Hamilton and scored his first try for the Lions in their next match against the Highlanders in Dunedin. After one more match that he played off the bench (against the Waratahs in Sydney), he made his first Super Rugby start in their final tour match against the Force in Perth.
On 4 April 2015, he scored a last-minute winning in their 2015 Super Rugby season match against the Bulls to help the Lions win the match 22–18 against their trans-Jukskei rivals.
Golden Lions
His performances for the Lions in Super Rugby also led to a domestic move, with Van der Merwe joining the Golden Lions on a deal for the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division competition.
Racing 92
He joined Racing 92 on a short-term deal for the start of their 2015–16 Top 14 season.
Personal
He is the older brother of winger Duhan van der Merwe, who also played Craven Week rugby for SWD Eagles and were included in the South African Schools sides in 2012 and 2013.