Van der Merwe thanks Cockerill for ‘lifeline’ after failing medical
● In-form South African lands new deal after overcoming fitness issues in 2017 ● Wing targets Scotland call-up next
Wing Duhan van der Merwe has thanked Edinburgh and head coach Richard Cockerill for showing faith in him and signing him in 2017 despite the fact the South African failed his medical.
After taking months to get on the pitch for his new club, the athletic and electric-paced flier from the Western Cape has been a revelation, scorching in for 28 tries in 53 appearances which, in quick time, takes him to fifth on Edinburgh’s alltime scorers list, behind only Tim Visser (69), Chris Paterson (57), Simon Webster (36) and Derrick Lee (32).
He signed a new contract with the capital pro team yesterday and Cockerill said: “When he came [from Montpellier], he was very young, very raw – and he was injured when he arrived. He needed hip surgery because he wasn’t fit to play.
“In fact, he didn’t pass his medical. So we had to put our faith in him. It has worked out well.”
Van der Merwe becomes
Scotland qualified in June on the old three-year residency rule and will be eligible for the summer tour to his South African homeland and New Zealand in the summer.
The 24-year-old Van der Merwe said: “The club threw me a lifeline when I failed my medical. I’ve developed my career here at Edinburgh and I want to keep developing as a player so, at the end of the day, it was actually easy for me to decide to stay here.
“I didn’t have much from Montpellier, I got the option to come to Edinburgh so when I failed my medical, I was a bit concerned. I thought, ‘where to next, what now?’
“When I look back, it could have gone really badly.ififailedmymedicaland Cockers didn’t back me, that was probably me because I didn’t have many options back then. Who was going to fix my hip? Where was I going to get rehab and all of that? So I’m really grateful for backing me back then.
“The club looked after me really well. I love the boys, I love the club, my missus loves the city so I’m really happy to have re-signed.”
Van der Merwe reiterated his desire to one day play Test rugby for his new adopted homeland.
“Yes, it’s in the back of my head. I want to play international rugby and if the opportunity is there to play, I’d want to grab it with both hands and give it a shot and see where I’m at,” he said.
“That’d be really cool, playing against South
Africa. If I get the opportunity, I’d love that.”
Cockerill, meanwhile, is satisfied with a gamble that paid off. “They’re always punts, up to a point. They’re great when they work,” said the coach, who is preparing his side for the weekend’s European Challenge Cup Pool 3 finale against French side Agen, when a quarter-final place can be wrapped up. “Duhan has worked really hard and, in the past two-and-a-half years, we’ve built a robust environment. Hopefully it’s a sign that we’ve got a strong environment, the fact that he’s improved.
“He’s got a unique skill set, he’s very quick and finishes well. So I’m delighted that he’s re-signed, keeping our squad together and keep building what we’ve got here.
“He has pure pace, his footwork, 2 Duhan van der Merwe hopes to add to his 28 tries in Edinburgh’s European Challenge Cuppool3 finale against Agen this weekend. his power, he’s scored tries from nothing.
“Having a player like him in your squad is important because he can make the difference, spark the game into life or turn the game in your favour. It’s important to keep those types of players.
“He’s keen to play international rugby and hopefully we’re giving him the platform to do that. He’s got a good character.
“It’s good from a union point of view, that a player comes and fails his medical – and we could have sent him straight back to France. Instead, we spent time, money and effort getting him fit. That’s a two-way effort. “We’ve not got a massive budget, we’re not going to recruit another ten players to strengthen the squad. We have to get stronger by staying together and improving as a team.
“He’s put in a lot of time and effort, and that’s what you do. You go to club, get some minutes under your belt, come back into the training group and work hard.
“He’s worked for his chance and he’s loving it, always improving.”
Van der Merwe added: “I’ve worked really hard at my speed and strength and that’s something I want to keep on working on because my speed is everything for me.”
Worcester lock Michael Fatialofa has been inundated with messages from well-wishers as he recovers from a serious neck injury.
Fatialofa, pictured, remains in intensive care at St Mary’s Hospital in London after undergoing successful surgery last week to relieve pressure on his spinal cord.
The 27-year-old New Zealander suffered the injury during Worcester’s 62-5 Gallagher Premiership defeat by Saracens at Allianz Park on 4 January.
“More than 760 messages of support for injured Warriors lock Michael Fatialofa have been sent in just five days to the special email address that has been set up by the club,” Worcester said on their official website. “The messages include one from Brad Barritt, the captain of Saracens who were Warriors’ opponents when Michael suffered a neck injury in the Gallagher Premiership match at Allianz Park.
“Michael remains in a serious but stable condition in the intensive care unit of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington.”
Play was held up for almost ten minutes as Fatialofa received medical attention and, having been carried from the pitch on a stretcher, he was taken by ambulance to St Mary’s Hospital.
Warriors set up the email address – fats@warriors. co.uk – last week to enable well-wishers to send messages to Fatialofa and wife Tatiana.
Meanwhile, Bath scrumhalf Max Green faces a spell on the sidelines after fracturing a fibula. The 23-year-old suffered the injury in the 25-19 Champions Cup defeat by Harlequins last weekend and was due to undergo surgery yesterday.
“We’re really disappointed for Max that this injury comes after what has been a frustrating period of time on the sidelines following his wrist injury in the Premiership Cup in September,” said director of rugby Stuart Hooper.
“I’ve developed my career here at Edinburgh and I want to keep developing as a player, so it was actually easy for me to decide to stay here”
DUHAN VAN DER MERWE