Springboks speedster Edwill van der Merwe is poised to seize any chance he gets to don the prestigious green and gold in the remaining fixtures of the Autumn Nations Series. After kicking off their tour with wins over Japan and France, the world champions are set to clash with Italy in Turin and then face formidable opponents Ireland and Wales in the upcoming weeks. The competition for a starting spot is fierce, particularly among the wingers, with players like Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, and Ethan Hooker showcasing top form.
Despite the intense competition, Van der Merwe, who has touched down five times in his four appearances, remains undeterred. His last game was during a surprise defeat to the Wallabies in Johannesburg, but his spirits are high. "My theory is that life’s a marathon, not a sprint," he maintains, adding that his focus is on staying "prepared and ready, so whenever the call comes and the opportunity arrives to play, I can grab it with both hands."
"The biggest thing for me is to stay prepared and ready, so whenever the call comes and the opportunity arrives to play, I can grab it with both hands."
Although Van der Merwe's participation in the upcoming match against Italy is yet to be confirmed, he anticipates a challenging encounter. The Azzurri, fresh off a surprising victory over the Wallabies, are not to be underestimated. "They are big, physical guys, and as South Africans, we pride ourselves on a physical contest," Van der Merwe points out. He underscores the importance of countering Italy's strong breakdown tactics, emphasizing, "They put a lot of emphasis on slowing down the ball and stealing it, so that will be a key focus area, but we need to be ready for whatever they throw at us."
With an impressive record since his debut against Wales last year, Van der Merwe credits his teammates for his success on the field, particularly the Boks' playmakers. "Those are the guys that put you into space, and as a winger, that’s what you want," he acknowledges. His humility shines through as he looks forward to more opportunities to contribute to the team's success and increase his try tally.
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Springboks speedster Edwill van der Merwe is poised to seize any chance he gets to don the prestigious green and gold in the remaining fixtures of the Autumn Nations Series. After kicking off their tour with wins over Japan and France, the world champions are set to clash with Italy in Turin and then face formidable opponents Ireland and Wales in the upcoming weeks. The competition for a starting spot is fierce, particularly among the wingers, with players like Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, and Ethan Hooker showcasing top form.
Despite the intense competition, Van der Merwe, who has touched down five times in his four appearances, remains undeterred. His last game was during a surprise defeat to the Wallabies in Johannesburg, but his spirits are high. "My theory is that life’s a marathon, not a sprint," he maintains, adding that his focus is on staying "prepared and ready, so whenever the call comes and the opportunity arrives to play, I can grab it with both hands."
"The biggest thing for me is to stay prepared and ready, so whenever the call comes and the opportunity arrives to play, I can grab it with both hands."
Although Van der Merwe's participation in the upcoming match against Italy is yet to be confirmed, he anticipates a challenging encounter. The Azzurri, fresh off a surprising victory over the Wallabies, are not to be underestimated. "They are big, physical guys, and as South Africans, we pride ourselves on a physical contest," Van der Merwe points out. He underscores the importance of countering Italy's strong breakdown tactics, emphasizing, "They put a lot of emphasis on slowing down the ball and stealing it, so that will be a key focus area, but we need to be ready for whatever they throw at us."
With an impressive record since his debut against Wales last year, Van der Merwe credits his teammates for his success on the field, particularly the Boks' playmakers. "Those are the guys that put you into space, and as a winger, that’s what you want," he acknowledges. His humility shines through as he looks forward to more opportunities to contribute to the team's success and increase his try tally.