Best is yet to come, says playmaker van der Walt

Edinburgh playmaker Jaco van der Walt acknowledges there is still room for improvement despite playing a big role in the club’s success this season.

The fly-half joined the club last November and has helped them secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Guinness PRO14 against Munster.

The 24-year-old from South Africa has impressed in midfield, making 15 appearances, but he is still keen to iron out certain aspects of his game.

When asked if he had hit top form, he said: “No, not really.

“To be honest I think there are a lot of improvements to be done, especially my kicking.

“The conditions are tough here, so it hasn’t been easy.”

He added: “This is really a great opportunity for me and I feel privileged to play in a quarter-final with the boys.”

The club find themselves in a rare position where they are competing for silverware at the end of the season.

They fly out to Munster today ahead of their clash at Thomond Park knowing they are the underdogs after only securing a play-off spot on the final day of the regular season with a 24-19 win over Glasgow.

“It will be a tough tie,” said van der Walt.

“Munster are a good team and it will be physical and mentally tough as well, but we will be well prepared.

“It was a big event at the weekend.

“The boys are very passionate about the games against Glasgow so we take a lot out of it, especially the positives, and we will take them into the weekend.”

Van der Walt is not the only South African to be making a big impressing in the capital this season, with Duhan van der Merwe in prolific form for the club with seven tries in 13 appearances.

“Duhan has put in a great shift,” his team-mate said.

“He is a very confident player at the moment and if we just give him the ball early, he will do the damage. I’m very proud of him.”

Picture: Getty. Jaco van der Walt wants to improve his kicking.