Springbok hooker Marnus van der Merwe returns to the Scarlets starting XV for Friday night’s BKT United Rugby Championship clash with the DHL Stormers at Parc y Scarlets, providing a timely boost for head coach Dwayne Peel as his side battles a mounting injury crisis.
The 28-year-old, who made his Test debut for South Africa during the summer, slots straight back into the starting XV following his international commitments with the Springboks. Van der Merwe’s return comes at a crucial juncture for the Welsh region, who have been forced into an emergency loan signing to bolster their depleted second-row options.
Former Scarlets lock Steve Cummins has returned to Llanelli from the Dragons on a short-term deal and has been thrust immediately into the matchday squad. The 33-year-old Australian, who spent three years with the Scarlets between 2017 and 2020, making 46 appearances and featuring in a PRO14 final and Champions Cup semi-final, is named on the bench for what would be his first appearance since March.
With locks Sam Lousi, Jac Price and Will Evans already sidelined through injury, and Jake Ball now undergoing return-to-play protocols after suffering a head knock in training this week, Peel has been left with little choice but to seek external reinforcements. Ball’s absence sees Tristan Davies promoted to the starting XV, partnering Max Douglas in the engine room. Cummins, who made 46 appearances during his first spell with the Scarlets and featured in a PRO14 final and Champions Cup semi-final, is named on the bench for what would be his first appearance since March, having struggled for game time at the Dragons.
“Injuries haven’t helped our preparation, we have a smaller squad this season and it does test your depth, but it also provides opportunities for younger players, who have shown that they are ready and hungry for their chance,” said Peel.
The injury crisis extends beyond the second row, with the Scarlets’ unavailable list reading like a roll call of key personnel. Captain Josh Macleod, props Kemsley Mathias and Ryan Elias, back-rower Eddie James, and versatile forward Dom Kossuth are all absent, whilst promising young player Osian Williams—who was due to make his URC debut against Connacht last weekend—has been ruled out with an ankle injury picked up in training this week.
Despite the adversity, there is positive news for the Welsh region with the return of Springbok hooker Marnus van der Merwe following his international commitments with South Africa. The 28-year-old, who made his Test debut for the Springboks during the summer, slots straight back into the starting XV, packing down between loosehead Alec Hepburn and tighthead Henry Thomas. Van der Merwe’s presence provides much-needed international experience and set-piece expertise against what promises to be a formidable Stormers pack.
The backline remains unchanged from the side named for last weekend’s postponed fixture against Connacht, with Johnny Williams set to lead the side for the first time in his career. The 27-year-old centre, who won his ninth Wales cap in July when helping end the national team’s 18-Test losing streak in Japan, will captain a back division that boasts considerable international pedigree.
“We have an international backline, let’s show it,” said Williams. “There’s no point being scared of what other teams have got because we know that they are talking about our backline, the quality we have coming on as well. We have to back ourselves because other teams are scared of this back line. If we can click and produce, let’s not let teams down and let’s show them what we have got.”
Williams’ confidence is well-founded, with the entire starting back division having been capped by Wales. Blair Murray occupies the fullback jersey, with Tom Rogers and Ellis Mee forming the wings in an all-international back three. Williams partners Joe Roberts in midfield, whilst Joe Hawkins and Gareth Davies—who won 77 caps for Wales before retiring from international rugby in 2024—combine at halfback.
The presence of such experience and quality behind the scrum provides Scarlets with genuine attacking threat, though their challenge will be securing sufficient possession and territory against a Stormers side that has begun the campaign in imperious fashion. The South African outfit arrives in Llanelli having demolished defending champions Leinster 35-0 in their opener before dispatching Ospreys 26-10, and they have been further bolstered by the return of Springboks Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu from Rugby Championship duty.
“Stormers have been very good so far,” acknowledged Peel. “We all know how dangerous they are in terms of broken field and transition play, but they also have real strength up front and that is the challenge. It is about putting in a performance and competing, being brave with and without the ball.”
The back row sees Jarrod Taylor and Dan Davis flanking number eight Taine Plumtree, providing a combination of breakdown expertise and ball-carrying ability. The trio will need to be at their physical best to compete with a Stormers loose forward unit featuring the outstanding Evan Roos, who has been in scintillating form through the opening rounds.
On the bench, Kirby Myhill provides hooker cover, with Sam O’Connor and Archer Holz offering front-row reinforcements. Holz’s inclusion marks his return to the matchday squad after making his comeback from illness for Carmarthen Quins last week. Back-rower Ben Williams is set for his first appearance of the URC campaign, providing additional forward cover alongside the newly arrived Cummins.
In the backline, Dane Blacker offers scrumhalf cover, whilst fly-half Sam Costelow—who has been passed fit after suffering a head injury—is named among the replacements. Macs Page completes the bench, providing versatility across the back three and midfield.
Scarlets’ season began with a disappointing 34-21 home defeat to Munster, a performance that left both coaching staff and players frustrated. Williams was scathing in his assessment of that opening-day display, citing a lack of energy and intensity that fell well short of the standards they set last season when finishing eighth to qualify for the play-offs and Champions Cup.
“There was a lack of energy and for first game of the season that was unacceptable,” said Williams. “The excitement, edge, energy, enthusiasm needed to be better. The standards that we set last year, we didn’t see at all against Munster. Come Friday I have no doubt it will be there, with an edge at home against a physical side.”
The postponement of last weekend’s fixture at Connacht—their travel plans disrupted when Storm Amy forced their flight to be diverted to Manchester, where they remained stranded on the runway for over eight hours—denied Scarlets the opportunity to immediately atone for the Munster loss. The two-week gap between competitive fixtures has at least allowed time for reflection and preparation, though the mounting injury toll has severely limited Peel’s options.
The challenge facing Scarlets is considerable. After hosting the Stormers, they embark on a daunting South African tour to face the Lions and Sharks, meaning this opening block of fixtures could define their early-season trajectory. Victory on Friday would provide momentum and belief; defeat would leave them playing catch-up with just one point from three matches.
Kick-off: 7.45pm IRE & UK / 8.45pm SA, Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli
Live on: S4C, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Scarlets: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams (CAPT), Ellis Mee; Joe Hawkins, Gareth Davies; Alec Hepburn, Marnus van der Merwe, Henry Thomas; Tristan Davies, Max Douglas; Jarrod Taylor, Dan Davis, Taine Plumtree
Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Sam O’Connor, Archer Holz, Steve Cummins, Ben Williams, Dane Blacker, Sam Costelow, Macs Page
DHL Stormers: Damian Willemse; Seabelo Senatla, Wandisile Simelane, Ruhan Nel (CAPT), Leolin Zas; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Stefan Ungerer; Ali Vermaak, JJ Kotzé, Sazi Sandi; JD Schickerling, Ruben van Heerden; Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon, Evan Roos
Replacements: André-Hugo Venter, Vernon Matongo, Zachary Porthen, Connor Evans, Marcel Theunissen, Deon Fourie, Imad Khan, Jurie Matthee
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (FIR, 16th league game)
Assistant Referee 1: Ben Connor (WRU)
Assistant Referee 2: Carwyn Sion (WRU)
TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)
