Nothing to prove: Duhan van der Merwe at peace with decision ahead of homecoming clash

Born and raised in South Africa, the big winger has long ceased caring about what others think of his decision and has gone on to enjoy a stellar career. His move to Scotland turned out extraordinarily well for both parties: van der Merwe has flourished in dark blue and represented the British & Irish Lions on two tours, most notably in 2021 when he played in all three Tests against the Springboks.

He’ll be up against the Boks again on Saturday afternoon in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) but this time he will be wearing the famous black and white hooped jersey of the Barbarians.

It is another proud moment for the Edinburgh player but the match also serves a practical use. Van der Merwe has just finished arguably the most frustrating season of his time in Scotland. A persistent ankle injury hampered his form and he missed large chunks of the campaign. He also found himself dropped by Gregor Townsend for the first time in his international career.

‘A beer or two’

The Barbarians game gives him the chance to prove his form and fitness ahead of Scotland’s three-Test summer campaign in the inaugural Nations Championship.

“Being able to come out to South Africa, be in a Barbarian squad and getting to know players over a beer or two, it reminds yourself of back in the day when you started playing rugby and there wasn't any added pressure,” said van der Merwe, who is one of four Scotland internationals in the Baa-Baas squad.

“So far, it's been unbelievable and I’m very grateful to have the opportunity. It's something I've always wanted to do and at times I thought I wouldn’t get the opportunity with games often a week before internationals.”

Two cracks at the Springboks

Saturday’s match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is potentially the first of two summer clashes with South Africa for van der Merwe. Scotland are due to play the world champions at Loftus Versfeld on July 11, a week after the Nations Championship opener against Argentina in Cordoba.

“I guess the first time I faced the Boks it was a little bit strange,” said van der Merwe, who played for South Africa at Sevens and at under-20 level. “People have their opinions, whatever they might be and they are entitled to them but it doesn’t bother me.”

It’s 10 years since he left South Africa, initially to join Montpellier. Things didn’t work out in France, largely due to injury, but a move to Edinburgh in 2017 was the start of a long and fruitful relationship, interrupted briefly by a stint at Worcester. Van der Merwe qualified for Scotland on residency grounds in 2020 and made his Test debut against Georgia in October of that year. He has gone on to win 53 Scotland caps and another three for the Lions, the latter all coming against the Springboks in 2021.

School friend

“It was just a very proud moment for me and my family to do something which I never thought I would be able to do,” he said. “The British and Irish Lions is the pinnacle of any rugby players’ career so to do that against South Africa was very special.

“I’ve been away for nine or ten years now so whether I’m representing Scotland or the Lions, it’s a special moment and something I chose. It’s going to be pretty cool to play against them with the Barbarians on Saturday.

“I don’t feel like I have a point to prove or anything. It’s been nine or ten years and I’m just grateful for the opportunities I’ve had. The motivation is more that they have been the world champions for a long time and you want to test yourself against the best. You know whenever you play South Africa, it’s going to be pretty tough.”

Van der Merwe has the opportunity on Saturday to reconnect and play alongside Warrick Gelant, who has been selected at full-back for the Baa-Baas. The pair went to school together, at Hoërskool Outeniqua in George, and also joined the Bulls academy set-up, although they never shared a pitch.

“It’s brilliant. I didn’t know Warrick was involved until I got here and saw him,” added van der Merwe, who will also have Edinburgh team-mates D’arcy Rae and Liam McConnell alongside him in the match-day 23. Rae starts at tighthead for the Barbarians, while McConnell is on the bench alongside Oli Kebble, the former Glasgow and Scotland prop who is now with the Stormers.