Springbok lock Flip van der Merwe has been granted an early release from his contract at the Vodacom Blue Bulls.

Van der Merwe formed part of the Bok squad in recent weeks, but failed to make the final 31-man cut for the World Cup. He is now set to join French Top 14 club Clermont with immediate effect.

According to SuperSport.com, the Bulls gave Van der Merwe the opportunity to join Clermont sooner than expected, and he will not return to Currie Cup duty.

The Bulls have coped well in Van der Merwe’s absence, securing bonus-point wins in their first four games.

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