Akker van der Merwe has undergone a small medical procedure this week to treat an old knee injury. CRAIG LEWIS reports.

Despite producing two standout performances during the Currie Cup playoffs, Van der Merwe missed out on selection for the Springboks’ end-of-year tour.

As a result, the 27-year-old took the opportunity to remove some ‘loose bodies’ from an old knee injury in order to ensure he is fully fit when Super Rugby pre-season training gets under way. The recovery period is only expected to take four to six weeks.

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Van der Merwe made three Test appearances off the bench in June, but was released back to the Sharks for the majority of the Currie Cup.

Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi and Schalk Brits are the three hookers who have been included for the Boks’ end-of-year tour, and coach Rassie Erasmus sought to explain Van der Merwe’s omission earlier this week.

‘You need that experience and I also think Schalk is the right choice for a tour in Europe,’ the Bok coach said. ‘It does not mean that Akker or any other hookers won’t get a chance of going to the World Cup.’

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images