150 NOT OUT
BUT AS HE MAKES A LANDMARK APPEARANCE FOR EDINBURGH, WP NEL ADMITS HE’S NEARING A CROSSROADS IN HIS CAREER
PL OTTING for the future is a precarious business these days. Where once professional athletes could plan their careers with a degree of confidence, the ramifications of the pandemic have left them as vulnerable and uncertain as the rest of us.
It wasn’t difficult, then, to detect a note of hesitation in WP Nel’s voice as he discussed how 2021 might yet pan out for him.
The Edinburgh forward, who will make his 150th appearance for the club against Glasgow tomorrow, turns 35 in April, a month or so before his contract expires.
He can’t imagine playing for anyone else, and jokes that he doesn’t expect another club would even be interested in a player who has undoubtedly veered into the veteran phase of his career.
The Scotland prop’s options, therefore, would seem to be to sign a new deal with Edinburgh — if such an offer materialises — or decide it’s been a good run and hang up the boots.
Nel gives the impression that he is leaning towards the latter although, like every battlescarred stalwart, it will hurt to acknowledge that the end might be nigh.
‘My contract’s up this year so let’s see what happens,’ said the South African-born forward.
‘I feel pretty good. I’ve done a lot but I still feel as if I have a lot to give. But, if it comes to retirement, I’d be pretty happy with that as well.
‘Time will tell. To be honest I just don’t know if any other club would want to look at me anymore! But I’m happy where I am, my family’s happy, so let’s see what the future brings.’
The transition into coaching seems an obvious one, with Nel having already len this vast experience to working with Watsonians as well as some of the younger crew emerging at Murrayfield.
Again, however, there are complications. The pandemic has given him time to think about his wider family back home in South Africa and whether he ought to return to be with them.
But he has been in Scotland since 2012 and has made a life here. Wife Alana and their three children are all settled in Edinburgh and their happiness will play a huge factor in where the Nel family ends up next.
He explained: ‘I won’t lie, this last year has been difficult. You really miss your extended family in South Africa — it’s not easy to be away from them.
‘But then Scotland has also done a lot for me and I’ve fallen in l ove with this place. My family’s happy, and the kids are starting in school now.
‘Scotland’s all that they know, so it will come down to a family decision.
‘At the moment I’m happy to go either way, although we’ll probably end up staying in Scotland because my wife is very happy here.
‘I was helping at Watsonians before lockdown, and I’m trying to work with the younger boys at Edinburgh at the moment, just doing the odd thing here and there and giving them some pointers.
‘The aim for me is to give back to the younger players so that it can hopefully make them better players.
‘I would love to work with the younger generation, and to help bring them through. But I would also love to play another year, so let’s see what the next step is for me.’
One South African-born player who will definitely be leaving Edinburgh in the summer is Duhan van der Merwe. The
winger, like Nel now a fullyfledged Scotland international, has agreed terms to sign for Worcester Warriors in t he summer, much to the disappointment of many Scottish rugby fans.
But Nel can understand why his compatriot felt it was the right move for him at the right time.
He added: ‘listen, it’s a tough environment, it’s tough out there. Everyone can make their own decisions.
‘I’m happy that I’ve got my family here but Duhan and his girlfriend are obviously in a different situation.
‘Everyone has to make their own decisions and it comes down to the individual.
‘It’s not up to me to ask Duhan why he’s moving, it’s up to how the person feels. If he feels that the Premiership is the next step for him to become a better player then that’s what works best for him.’
van der Merwe will at least still be around to help mark a major milestone in his friend’s career when Nel chalks up that 150th appearance for Edinburgh in tomorrow’s 1872 Cup derby with Glasgow.
And the f orward hopes to celebrate with another victory over their old rivals after winning 10-7 last weekend.
‘I’ve been at the club for a while now so it will be a proud moment for me to make 150 appearances,’ said Nel.
‘It will be lovely to mark the moment with another win over Glasgow — especially as it’ll be on their field.’