Windhoek Draught Griquas announced the appointment of ex-Springbok lock Franco van der Merwe as the new assistant coach today. He will officially start in his new position on 01 September 2023 in preparation for the Airlink Cup that will be played in November 2023.
Franco is highly respected within the rugby circles. Not just in South Africa but also in Europe in terms of his rugby knowledge according to Windhoek Draught Griquas CEO Arnie van Rooyen.
"As a Union, we are extremely happy to appoint one of our own with the experience and quality of someone like Franco van der Merwe."
Van der Merwe will add great experience to the team and his reputation as a hardworking, process-orientated and attention-to-detail individual and will bring and extra dimension to the Windhoek Draught Griquas' forward pack in 2023.
Franco is originally from the Northern Cape and currently residing in Hartswater. He represented Griquas at both u/13 and u/18 Craven Weeks and represented the Cell C Sharks and Lions at Super Rugby Level. He then moved to Europe where he played for both Ulster and London Irish, both of whom he captained.