VIDEO: Bok flyer poised for more tries against Italy
TURIN, ITALY: The guy who loves celebrating tries in style is about to get his first run on the Springboks’ Nations Cup tour when they face Italy at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy, this weekend.
Edwill van der Merwe is expected to make a return to the starting line-up for the Springboks on Saturday and will have good memories of the last time he faced the Azzurri in Port Elizabeth earlier in the year.
On that occasion, the speedster crossed the whitewash twice, taking his total tally of test tries to five in four Tests.
He made his Springbok debut in 2024, scoring a try and earning player of the match honours in his first appearance against Wales.
Van der Merwe developed his skills in the Varsity Cup with the Maties before moving to the Lions, which he credits with getting him the game time he needed to get noticed by the Springbok selectors.
His move to the Sharks is seen as a way to continue his development and stay in contention for the national team.
He is fast, agile, ruthless near the line, and has quickly become one of the Springboks’ most exciting finishers.
But at home, the 29-year-old claims he is very chilled and quite introverted. He is a huge gamer who loves to spend time in front of the computer.
Van der Merwe has not been in action on tour yet, but is doing his bit on the training field, helping the starting team get ready for their games.
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Reflecting on last weekend’s huge victory over the French and captain Siya Kolisi’s 100th, Van der Merwe stated: “I think it’s massive. Siya is an incredible character, not just for the team, but for the whole of South Africa.
“He is a great leader and we look to him as a team for guidance, and he is someone who leads by action.”
Van der Merwe told Rugby365 that during his time with the Springboks, he is learning every day, whether it’s on the training field or in a game.
“It’s a case of learning every time you go on the field, whether you are training or playing. It’s about improving every day, and when you get the opportunity, you seize it with both hands.”
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Looking ahead at the game against Italy, the winger said it will be another physical battle, especially with Italy coming off a surprise victory over Australia last weekend.
“They’re big, physical guys, so the physical contest – which we pride ourselves on as well as South Africans – will be massive.
“They were very good at the weekend. Also, they have players who can create moments of magic from the back, so it’ll be a big challenge.”
“They put a lot of emphasis on slowing the ball down or going to steal the ball. Whatever they throw at us, we’ll have to match it and overpower them with what we do.”
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