He qualified to play for Scotland through the three-year residency rule and it wasn’t long before the Scottish selectors started to notice his strong performances in the Pro14 and European club competitions. A lot of credit goes to my brother [Sale Sharks hooker Akker van der Merwe] as well, and he was very happy for me when I made my debut for Scotland. Lions and Springboks to play for new Tour trophy created by Thomas Lyte . Duhan van der Merwe News. ", Danny Lane, who is a professional musician and is profoundly deaf, explains, Ian Wright shares his own story and goes in search of answers. Duhan van der Merwe Left-wing. The move attracted some fierce criticism of the regularly under-fire 'project player' scheme, where Scottish Rugby bring players from the Southern hemisphere to Glasgow and Edinburgh with a view to them eventually representing Scotland under the contentious three-year residency rule. "The boys play a lot of Warzone [on the PlayStation]," the 25-year-old says. Pic: Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images. Duhan van der Merwe: Guinness Six Nations 2021 top try scorer . Who is Duhan van der Merwe really – the South Africa-born wing who was included as one of the “bolters” in the British and Irish Lions touring squad to South Africa on Thursday? It's funny how it works out.". Image caption Van der Merwe has scored in each of his three Top 14 matches . The Edinburgh and Scotland wing never cracked it in South Africa, but bigger things were waiting for him in Europe. "That's always something you have to think about as well [looking after yourself and your family], it's been tough times with Covid and pay cuts but at the end of the day, even if you take the money part away, I want to go and test myself in the Premiership.". Duhan Van Der Merwe - UNSTOPPABLESubcribe on my youtube channelAbonne-toi à ma chaine One Lions player who will attract much focus in South Africa is Duhan van der Merwe, the soon-to-be 26-year-old Scotland winger who was born in George and represented the Junior Springboks before finding rugby fame and fortune in the northern hemisphere where he will soon move from Edinburgh, the Guinness PRO14 club where he made his name, to … His immense bulk and pace give Scotland a hefty ball-carrying option in the backs that they have often missed over the years, and his six tries in nine Tests - including the decisive one against England at Twickenham where he carried four white shirts over the line with him - suggest he won't struggle to bring his Edinburgh form of recent years onto the international stage. The powerful winger’s fortunes changed for the better when he joined the Edinburgh Rugby Club in 2017. March 30, 2021 9:00 am (GMT) Share this article: by Andy Baber . The selection that many were anticipating, van der Merwe is available to Scotland on residency grounds having spent three years with Edinburgh since moving from Montpellier in the summer of 2017. MARIETTE ADAMS reports. We always got stuck into each other when Glasgow played Edinburgh, and now we're actually good mates. And now Van der Merwe is ready to thrill in the country of his birth. ALSO READ: Alun Wyn Jones to lead 2021 Lions in SA. "I just I want to test myself even more and potentially become a better player as well. Duhan van der Merwe is an unstoppable freak athlete. Taking a closer look at Van Der Merwe’s exploits, the younger brother of Bok hooker Akker, was born in George in the Western Cape and attended Outeniqua High School. Duhan van der Merwe, born in George in the Western Cape, will represent the British and Irish Lions when they tour here in July and August. How did that move come about? Watch: I’d pick Duhan at 11 vs Boks Video published on May 7, 2021 Former Bok captain Jean de Villiers chats about the exciting prospect of seeing British & Irish Lions wings Duhan van der Merwe and Louis Rees-Zammit face the Springboks during this year’s tour to South Africa. South Africa-born Van Der Merwe and New Zealand native Lowe each qualified for their adopted countries last year on residency grounds. 6ft 4" (193cm) tall, weighing in at 233lbs (106kg). All Rights Reserved. While his rise has been meteoric, it has not all be plain sailing for Van der Merwe since his move to Scotland. Did well to score his try after not being able to haul in Russell’s kick, but missed the conversion. South Africa-born wing Duhan van der Merwe on finding a home at Edinburgh, the prospect of facing the Springboks and his ambitions. Subscribe here. The South African-born wing marked his first cap with a try as Scotland beat Georgia 48-7 on Friday, running on to Finn Russell’s pass to get the home team’s sixth try of the game. "It probably doesn't look great," Van der Merwe acknowledges. 2:07am, 07 May 2021. Like many others he has been unable to see his family in the last 12 months due to Covid, and couldn't fly home to South Africa to support them when his grandfather died in June. When Duhan van der Merwe was lining up for Edinburgh against Finn Russell's Glasgow, it's fair to the say the pair were not the best of friends. Duhan Van Der Merwe aims to keep improving as an international player now he has got his “nervous and emotional” Scotland debut out of the way. That fruitful arrangement will come to an end this season, with Van der Merwe off to Worcester Warriors in the English Premiership. Duhan van der Merwe in action for Scotland during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium on February 06, 2021, in London, England. Privacy Policy. Duhan van der Merwe has become a regular in the Scotland team and in just a few days' time he will return to South Africa, where he was born, as a member of the British and Irish Lions team. "I still remember him dropping me off at the airport two years ago saying that whenever I play for Scotland he's definitely going to be there. He's up 7-1, so credit to him. 2021 The Citizen. Edinburgh have signed South African wing Duhan van der Merwe from French club Montpellier on a two-year deal. As debut Guinness Six Nations go, Duhan van der Merwe’s was a spectacular success. 1.3k Followers 12.7k Followers Duhan van der Merwe. Edinburgh took a chance on him, and their investment has been rewarded by having the Pro14's most dynamic back on their books for the past four seasons. Strange it may be, but nothing about Van der Merwe's rugby journey has been conventional. Gatland names Alun Wyn Jones as his 2021 Lions captain . But I signed an extension three years ago, and then another extension so I've signed for four years and I can still play for Scotland. 25.6k Followers, 554 Following, 229 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Duhi (@duhanvandermerwe) Ironically both Van der Merwe and Stander received recognition abroad after not being recognised in Pretoria and by the Bulls. At that time, I wasn’t in the mix to play any senior rugby. Duhan van der Merwe – 8. Google Ads Manager – 300×250. Read about our approach to external linking. Scotland winger Duhan van der Merwe tells BBC Scotland about how he and Finn Russell are enemies turned friends, a potential Lions call, and his move to Worcester Warriors. Duhan van der Merwe (born () June 4, 1995) is a rugby union player, who plays as a wing for Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland. Duhan van der Merwe is in line to join a small band of British and Irish Lions who have played against their country of birth after being selected on Thursday for the tour of … Worcester Warriors have signed Scotland's Duhan van der Merwe from Edinburgh for the 2021-22 season. Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe, who was one of the star performers in the recent Six Nations, has been named in the 37-man 2021 British & Irish Lions squad to … Van der Merwe played two matches for the Bulls in 2016 before moving to Montpellier in France where he played four games until 2017. Duhan van der Merwe has opened up about his rocky career path in Europe, where he went from injury-prone struggler at Montpellier to star performer and Scotland hopeful at Edinburgh. At Outeniqua, where he attended high school, he stood head and shoulders – literally and metaphorically – above his competitors. Van der Merwe is big, strong and fast and he showed his finishing … "Coming in I was quite stressed, but the boys have made it very easy for me. Van der Merwe quickly caught the eye; he was selected for the SA Schools side in 2012-13 for whom he played five matches and he also turned out in two games for the SA U20 side in 2014. Duhan van der Merwe believes Richard Cockerill helped save his career after the wing failed his Edinburgh medical. Brought to you by Specsavers.#SomethingToSmileAbout A powerful winger of 106kg and 1.93m tall, the 25-year-old follows in the footsteps of Ireland No 8 CJ Stander who was another former SA player to become a Lion – on the previous tour of 2017 to New Zealand. ‘If given the opportunity, I would definitely want to play for the British & Irish Lions. iol.co.za - CAPE TOWN - South African-born Duhan van der Merwe has made the cut for the 37-man British and Irish Lions squad for the upcoming series against the … Russell admitted recently that he enjoyed "winding up" the big winger in their 1872 Cup clashes, and the feeling was mutual. The blond wing left defenders scattered in his wake and scored tries almost at will. "I'd like to say I'm up there with the pool, but I got absolutely smashed by our defence coach Steve Tandy. His penetration through the English defence was admirable. After school he attended the University of Pretoria where he played for the University of Pretoria Tuks team in eight games, scoring 74 points. READ: What’s in our latest issue? "He was a rugby player as well and just someone always looked up to," he says. "I've come over, qualified and leave. I've gone through a lot of injuries and stuff and they're just happy for me that I stayed positive and kept on working hard. "But if I get the opportunity to play for the Lions I would absolutely love it to go up against South Africa. We put one of Scotland's newest caps on the spot. "For now I'm just focused on performing for Scotland and doing my best for the team," he said. His proud older brother Akker, as well as rugby fans in Europe and South Africa, will be watching. Van der Merwe is a terrific physical threat, standing 6ft 4ins tall and weighing over 17 stone. "I miss home, I'm not going to lie about that, it's been tough. For Van der Merwe, who grew up in George on the Republic's south coast and one day dreamed of pulling on the famous Springbok green and gold, it would be a strange twist of fate. We've got a very tight bunch here, I love being in the environment.". "My family are very proud of me. I think it is the biggest honour you can achieve in world rugby. So that's why I decided on the move. Bad injuries as a promising youth stifled his career at the Bulls, and then Montpellier in France. You were young when you left South Africa to join Montpellier in 2016. But unfortunately he passed away. News. The Munster player, who will retire from rugby shortly, missed out on selection this time. Duhan van der Merwe has always been a big man. Duhan van der Merwe played for Tuks in the Varsity Cup competition. In a previous interview with SA Rugby magazine, Van der Merwe spoke candidly about his dream of fronting the Springboks in a Lions jersey. "Playing against Finn and Hoggy [Scotland captain Stuart Hogg] I was always told you have to try and get in their heads," Van der Merwe laughs. Van der Merwe’s inclusion in the 37-man squad drew the biggest interest locally because of his connections with South Africa. Darts, I'd probably say it's between Hamish Watson, Dave Cherry and Cornell Du Preez - obviously it has to be a forward. Duhan van der Merwe British and Irish Lions prospect And if he can replicate the successes of his 2019/20 season, the powerful wing could be a ‘bolter’ for the 2021 British and Irish Lions squad, although he acknowledges time is against him to make an impact. You could certainly say that head coach Gregor Townsend - and no doubt his team-mates too - have enjoyed having Van der Merwe in the squad, with the South African native having started every Six Nations game so far, scoring three tries. You try and keep yourself busy, it's tough but you just have to get used to it. Van der Merwe was duly picked by Scotland last year and he has been one of his team’s star performers in the Six Nations, scoring eight tries in just 10 Tests. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images. Last updated on 20 March 202120 March 2021.From the section Scottish Rugby. "It probably would be a wee bit strange. How to get into rugby union - get into the social team game that brings people together, France v Scotland re-scheduled for 26 March, Listen: Wainwright on BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast. That evidence has led to talk of a potential call up for the Lions series against South Africa this summer, a shout only strengthened by coach Warren Gatland's love of ball-carrying backs. But I've been here now for four seasons, I feel like my rugby career is in Scotland. "We've got a dart board, we've got a pool table, and I probably drink about five coffees a day just to chat to the boys. Scotland wing Duhan Van Der Merwe and Ireland counterpart James Lowe will continue their fledgling international careers this weekend by going head to head in the Guinness Six Nations. "That's why they probably didn't like me. Duhan van der Merwe is in line to join a small band of British and Irish Lions who have played against their country of birth after being selected on Thursday for the tour of his native South Africa. He was born and grew up in South Africa, and qualified for Scotland through the three year residency rule. The restricted world of a Six Nations Covid 'bubble' could be suffocating but for Van der Merwe - a relative newbie to international rugby having made his debut in the autumn - it has been an opportunity to settle into the camp. It's a tough one to answer, it would be strange but if given the opportunity it's something I would really look forward to.". Duhan van der Merwe scores Scotland’s match-winning try against France in Paris. Sean Holley reveals why Edinburgh Rugby's Duhan van der Merwe has been so good this season and why he is exceptional at breaking the lines. He has so far played 64 games for his club Edinburgh, which have brought him 155 points from 31 tries. talkSPORT wins exclusive rights to broadcast Lions Tour . Tags. Get latest scores and headlines sent straight to your phone, sign-up to our newsletter and learn where to find us on online. Winger Duhan van der Merwe is thrilled to be part of "big things" at Edinburgh after extending his contract. Here he is in action against Maties in 2016. "I'm a happy man and I've been enjoying it a lot. Duhan van der Merwe has been in explosive form for Edinburgh this season. Duhan van der Merwe has been outstanding for Edinburgh over the last four years, which earned him selection to the Scotland Test side in 2020. Weighing in at 233lbs ( 106kg ) Russell ’ s was a rugby player as well as rugby fans Europe! 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