Edwill van der Merwe sports a tattoo that speaks of life being a marathon rather than a sprint, and when he talks, it is clear that he sees life as a journey. A journey that has taken him longer to get into than some of his contemporaries who played professional rugby and made it into the Springbok system from an early age.
If it is indeed a marathon that he is on, then what he faces on Saturday when he runs out for the Boks to face the Wallabies in his first Castle Lager Rugby Championship appearance can be likened to what long-distance runners would describe as the first registered hill. While he was careful not to disrespect the teams he has faced thus far in his fledgling career, he makes it clear that Saturday is going to be a step up from what he has faced before.
“Ellis Park is one of my favourites stadiums along with Danie Craven Stadium (in Stellenbosch), so Saturday will be very special for me and also facing Australia is a bigger challenge than I have faced before,” said Van der Merwe, who took a long time to break into the Stormers playing team after four years excelling for Maties in the Varsity Cup before moving to the Lions.
“As a youngster, I remember watching the Rugby Championship and thinking of it as the place I wanted to be, so there is a big focus going into this competition. Australia are a big team. I will be up against more experienced opponents. They have been building momentum and beat the British and Irish Lions in their last game. They’ve improved a lot and we are expecting a tough game, with the breakdowns a big focus for both teams.”
MOVING TO LIONS WAS HIS BEST DECISION
Van der Merwe says his move to the Lions was one of the best decisions he ever made, but in keeping with his philosophy that life is a journey, he is looking forward to a fresh challenge when he starts out in the new season with the Sharks.
“I always tell people I took the scenic route (to get to the Boks) as it took me a long time to get here. As with anything in life, I believe everything happens for a reason, and I don’t take anything for granted,” he said.
“I spent four years playing for Maties but struggled to break into the Stormers system. But once I was finished with Varsity Cup, I could put full focus into the Stormers, but unfortunately, that coincided with the arrival with Covid. Then I got an opportunity with the Lions, and it was the best move I ever made because of the game time I got. It gave me time to develop as a player, and I am really grateful to the Lions company for the opportunity they gave me.
“But now I am starting out something fresh and new at the Sharks. I am really grateful for the path I have been on. Durban will be a new challenge and it will keep me on my toes. There I will be surrounded by Bok teammates and that will force me to elevate my game. It will be an opportunity to learn from a guy like Makazole Mapimpi, who will hopefully be a big influence on me at the Sharks.”
BIG COMPETITION FOR HIS POSITION
Mapimpi, of course, has been left out of the current Bok squad as a reminder of how rich South Africa is in wings at the moment and how tough the competition for places is.
“It is a very good thing for South African rugby and an indication of the healthy position we are in. There is a lot of competition in the squad, yet everyone helps one another and everyone is learning as much as possible. It is always a big challenge to not only become a Bok but staying here is also difficult. There is a new challenge every day and an opportunity to get better. I have to attack every session and get better every day, that is my aim.”
One of the players in the wing mix who is not playing on Saturday is double World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe and Van der Merwe reiterated what he said before playing in the second test against Italy in Gqeberha, which was his second appearance for the Boks after a break of more than a year, about playing in the jersey usually worn by the now legendary Bok wing.
“It is not extra pressure because there is already expectation when you play for the Boks. I just want to bring Edwill and embrace the challenge. Scoring tries is just a bonus, my biggest challenge is to stick within the systems, whether it is on defence or attack. It does help that I have guys around me who like to move the ball around as that creates opportunities.”
BECOMING A GRADUATE SLOWED HIS JOURNEY
The 29-year-old Van der Merwe’s longer road to professional rugby was because he is a rarity in modern rugby: He is a player who studied and took his studies seriously.
“I studied BA Sports Science when I was at Stellenbosch, and most importantly, I finished it and graduated. I think it taught me time management, how to balance the books, as it is important to have a backup plan. Your rugby career only lasts for a certain time. Then you have to go into the real world and have to have a plan in place.
“I blamed my studies for not being where wanted to be in rugby. Because I was studying, I was not always at training. But (as my tattoo says) it is a marathon and not a sprint.”
Sprinting is something that Van der Merwe can do really well, and although he credits Grant Williams and Kolbe as being the quickest in the Bok squad, his pace across the ground is something that the Wallabies might get to know all about on Saturday.