Springboks winger Edwill van der Merwe, recently recovered from an ankle injury, has chosen to light up the United Rugby Championship (URC) with the Sharks, despite tempting offers from overseas clubs. Van der Merwe, a late bloomer on the international scene, has quickly made a name for himself by notching five tries in just four games for the Springboks, including standout performances against Italy and Georgia. However, a setback came with a defeat to Australia and an injury that sidelined him for crucial matches. Now, fully healed, he's set to debut for the Sharks in their upcoming match against Glasgow Warriors.
Van der Merwe's decision to join the Sharks was influenced by the team's strong roster and his personal ambitions. "I spent four seasons at the Lions and I felt I was at a point in my career where I needed something fresh," he explained. The Sharks, enriched with Springboks talent, seemed like the perfect environment to further his career. "The team that appealed to me the most was the Sharks because of the number of Springboks they have, and my ambition is to play for the Springboks. To be surrounded by that many Boks will elevate my game," he added.
"The quality of the players at the Sharks is incredible,"
His move to Durban marks a strategic step to boost his playing prospects, underpinned by the club's competitive edge and leadership under head coach John Plumtree. Van der Merwe has already found his rhythm within the team, praising Plumtree's approach. "One of the big reasons I chose the Sharks is because they are a team competing for trophies, and that is something I want to achieve," he remarked.
Plumtree's influence was immediately evident, with Van der Merwe noting, "I find John Plumtree a very knowledgeable coach. I have enjoyed working under him, and we had the warm-up game against the Stormers last week. It is interesting to see how he operates on game day. I especially enjoy his speeches before training and the games. He is a coach I can play for."
As the URC season approaches, Van der Merwe's integration into the Sharks not only signifies a pivotal career move but also brings a wave of excitement and high expectations from the Durban-based fans ready to see their team compete at the highest levels.
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Springboks winger Edwill van der Merwe, recently recovered from an ankle injury, has chosen to light up the United Rugby Championship (URC) with the Sharks, despite tempting offers from overseas clubs. Van der Merwe, a late bloomer on the international scene, has quickly made a name for himself by notching five tries in just four games for the Springboks, including standout performances against Italy and Georgia. However, a setback came with a defeat to Australia and an injury that sidelined him for crucial matches. Now, fully healed, he's set to debut for the Sharks in their upcoming match against Glasgow Warriors.
Van der Merwe's decision to join the Sharks was influenced by the team's strong roster and his personal ambitions. "I spent four seasons at the Lions and I felt I was at a point in my career where I needed something fresh," he explained. The Sharks, enriched with Springboks talent, seemed like the perfect environment to further his career. "The team that appealed to me the most was the Sharks because of the number of Springboks they have, and my ambition is to play for the Springboks. To be surrounded by that many Boks will elevate my game," he added.
"The quality of the players at the Sharks is incredible,"
His move to Durban marks a strategic step to boost his playing prospects, underpinned by the club's competitive edge and leadership under head coach John Plumtree. Van der Merwe has already found his rhythm within the team, praising Plumtree's approach. "One of the big reasons I chose the Sharks is because they are a team competing for trophies, and that is something I want to achieve," he remarked.
Plumtree's influence was immediately evident, with Van der Merwe noting, "I find John Plumtree a very knowledgeable coach. I have enjoyed working under him, and we had the warm-up game against the Stormers last week. It is interesting to see how he operates on game day. I especially enjoy his speeches before training and the games. He is a coach I can play for."
As the URC season approaches, Van der Merwe's integration into the Sharks not only signifies a pivotal career move but also brings a wave of excitement and high expectations from the Durban-based fans ready to see their team compete at the highest levels.