Ruwald van der Merwe admits he initially brushed off talk of a move abroad before a call from Glasgow coach Franco Smith changed everything.
The Pumas loose forward has signed a two-year deal with the Scottish club and will join them after the Currie Cup.
“My agent Tiaan Coetzee mentioned that Glasgow might be interested, but I didn’t pay too much attention. I just carried on with things,” Van der Merwe told Netwerk24.
“About two weeks later he told me Franco would call me and that I shouldn’t be surprised if I saw a UK number. I chatted with Franco that day and about a week later I got an offer.”
FRANCO: Pumas player brings real value
The 26-year-old admitted the reality of the offer and potential move overseas only hit home when he sat down to consider the contract.
“It’s easy to say you want to go overseas, but when the contract is in front of you, you realise it’s a big decision,” he said.
“We’ve got a four-month-old daughter, so it’s a big responsibility to move your family. We’re excited, a little scared, but really looking forward to it.”
Van der Merwe believes his time in the Lowveld has prepared him for the step up, having captained the Pumas to SA Cup success last year.
“I’m grateful for my time here. If this opportunity came two years ago, I might not have been ready. Physically and mentally, I’m in a much better place now.”
Photo: Johan Orton/Gallo Images
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