Ruwald van der Merwe has revealed that he initially didn't take seriously the idea of moving overseas, until a conversation with Glasgow head coach Franco Smith completely shifted his perspective.

The Pumas loose forward has now secured a two-year contract with Glasgow Warriors and is set to join them after the Currie Cup concludes.

"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."

Van der Merwe also claimed a conversation with former Warrior Henco Venter was also instrumental in the decision to make the move to Scotland.

At 27, Van der Merwe said the magnitude of the opportunity only truly registered when he sat down to review the contract in detail.

"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."

He added that his time with the Pumas, including leading them to SA Cup success last year, has helped prepare him for this next step.

"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."