Leinster have completed the signing of South Africa international prop Heinke van der Merwe from Super 14 side Golden Lions.
Van der Merwe has agreed a two-year deal with the province and will move to Ireland after his wife gives birth inside the next few weeks.
The 25-year-old has made 34 Super 14 appearances and holds one Springbok cap, from a Test against Wales in Cardiff in 2007.
Van der Merwe said, “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. This is an opportunity that has come up, that I certainly couldn’t say no to it.”
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