Duhan the destroyer looks tailor-made for Gatland
FORMER Ireland winger Tommy Bowe would “not be one bit surprised” to see Scottish powerhouse winger Duhan van der Merwe play himself into a Lions Test back three spot over the next few weeks.
Bowe’s fellow countrymen will be on red alert when they take on the Scots at Murrayfield this afternoon because Edinburgh flyer Van der Merwe has made a superb start to his Test career.
Since he qualified via residency last year, the 25year-old has bagged four tries in seven Tests and has brought a different dimension to the Scotland attack. If he keeps his form up until the end of the Six Nations and beyond then Bowe, the 37year-old who played 69 times for Ireland and went on two Lions tours, believes he could force his way into Warren Gatland’s starting XV for the Boks.
“Having been born in South Africa, Van der Merwe would love to play against them and the way he is going he is certainly in with a great shout,” Bowe said.
“I know that Warren Gatland likes to play with big, strong wingers and Van der Merwe is very much in that ilk. You look at how the Lions have used big guys like George North out wide to great effect before and I would not be one bit surprised to see Van der Merwe in a
Lions Test back three alongside Stuart Hogg. “Warren loves to use players who can get over the gain line – North and Jamie Roberts were prime examples – and Van der Merwe could be a real weapon for the Lions.
“We have seen him coming off his wing with Scotland and causing havoc when he has linked up with the likes of Finn Russell while his PRO14 stats are amazing.
“Van der Merwe will know he still has some improving to do, but he has the raw ability and pace to trouble any defence and Gatland will be looking at him as someone that could cause South Africa problems.
“It is up to him to finish the Six Nations strongly and who knows what could be around the corner for him.”