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Edwill van der Merwe is on the verge of history as he could become the first-ever Springbok player to score in four consecutive Tests.
Edwill van der Merwe is on the verge of history as he could become the first-ever Springbok player to score in four consecutive Tests.
Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana and Makazole Mapimpi have come close but have all missed out on the milestone.
The Sharks-bound winger, known for his audacious celebrations, starts against Australia on Saturday, and if the 29-year-old late bloomer does embark on himself in the Green and Gold history books, no one can say he hasn't done it the hard way.
Van der Merwe has had to graft, first at Western Province and then the Lions - a team that has struggled in the URC in recent seasons and has comfortably the least number of internationals in their squad. However, his 34 tries in 76 starts since joining the Johannesburg side in 2021 has proven too prolific for the Springbok selectors to ignore and has now subsuqently earned him a move to the Durban-based Sharks.
His international debut against Wales in June 2024 at Twickenham Stadium was spectacular. One sliver of space, one step off the right, and he was gone to score a stunning solo try, which saw him crowned man of the match on his debut. Then came his emphatic brace of tries versus Italy in Gqeberha. And against Georgia last month, a try-saving tackle and a try of his own confirmed what many are now whispering: that he is the real deal.
South Africa have always been blessed with talented wingers, but since 2019, their strength in depth out wide has become unprecedented, with Makazole Mapimpi, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and now van der Merwe causing Rassie Erasmus an almighty selection headache.
If van der Merwe can get on the scoresheet on Saturday and prove he's worthy of a first-choice wing spot, it may be enough to edge out his wing compatriots and climb Erasmus' pecking order.
South Africa head coach Erasmus said of the player: “Edwill definitely looked very comfortable when he came into the setup at 28. He maybe slotted in a little bit easier than some of the other guys. I think he deserves everything that comes his way now.”