Winger Edwill van der Merwe has made a compelling case to be part of Rassie Erasmus’ 36-man group for the Rugby Championship.
Winger Edwill van der Merwe has made a compelling case to be part of Rassie Erasmus’ 36-man group for the Rugby Championship.
The Sharks-bound flyer started consecutive Tests against Italy and Georgia – and scored a brace of tries in each match.
Van der Merwe’s strike rate is now five tries in his first three internationals, including his try on Test debut against Wales at Twickenham last year.
Erasmus is expected to announce his trimmed down squad on Wednesday.
Experts say he may not jump ahead of either Cheslin Kolbe or Kurt-Lee Arendse in the Bok starting lineup, but may just have shown enough to make him an attractive prospect to make an impact off the bench against the All Blacks, Wallabies and Argentina in the Rugby Championship.
The Springbok coaching staff, led by Erasmus, are expected to refresh the squad heading into the Championship, balancing experience with players who bring momentum and flair. Van der Merwe ticks several boxes. He offers versatility on the wing, sharp decision-making under pressure, and a hunger to prove himself on the big stage.
With several regulars returning from injury and overseas commitments, competition for places in the back three is intense. But Van der Merwe’s recent displays have arguably put him ahead of some seasoned campaigners. His ability to adapt to the Springboks’ structured game plan while still injecting unpredictability could make him a valuable weapon in matches against southern hemisphere giants New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina.
If rewarded with selection, it would mark another milestone in Van der Merwe’s late-blooming but impressive rise. More than just a flash in the pan, he seems ready to step up as a dependable option for the world champions.
