Duhan van der Merwe has played in France and England and could command lucrative offers from far and wide. But after signing a one-year contract extension with Edinburgh that will keep him at the Hive Stadium until June 2025, the Scotland winger insisted that he is happy where he is - and believes that happiness is helping him produce his best form.
Now 28, the South African-born back had a year in France with Montpellier before signing on for his first spell with Edinburgh in 2017. He left after four seasons for Worcester Warriors, but returned to the capital in late 2022 after Worcester went into administration.
He will only be 30 when his new contract expires, so all being well will still have ample time to explore new opportunities. For the time being at least, however, he is only interested in staying at the club where he made his name.
“I’m at my happiest at Edinburgh and when I’m happy I play my best rugby,” Van der Merwe said yesterday after his new deal was announced. “I’m very happy to be staying till 2025. I’m really looking forward to seeing how far this club can go.
“I play my best rugby when I’m at Edinburgh and I’m getting managed a bit more, because if I’m away [playing for a club in England or France] it’s constant travelling and constant playing. My body is a lot better for staying here. When my body feels great I feel quick and I feel confident and I play my best rugby, so it was a no-brainer for me to stay for another year.
“Playing for Scotland as well, it’s a lot easier on the body. I remember my days at Worcester: though I loved it, it was tough, having to travel from Worcester to Birmingham [en route back to a Scotland camp]. Especially on the bye weeks, maybe playing Newcastle away and then having to go back and play for Worcester. That was quite challenging at the time, so I’m happy to be here.”
Van der Merwe’s season in France was disrupted by injury and he only had a handful of games for Montpellier, so the Top 14 might well be regarded as unfinished business for him. Yet while a player of his dynamism and physical robustness could seem well suited to the French game, he insisted he was in no rush to think about such options.
“We’ll see how it goes,” he continued. “I’m here till June 2025 and will give my all for the club and Scotland, so let's see how the body feels then.
“We’ve got a special group here and there is a real feeling of togetherness, with everyone buying into what Sean [Everitt, the senior coach] is trying to build. I’ve really enjoyed his coaching style and man-management so far.
“It’s not specifically that he’s a South African: it’s the environment he has brought in and the way he treats players and staff. I think he’s an absolutely brilliant guy and I want to learn under him and I think he can take us far this season.
“The one thing I love about him is the way he treats the youngest of academy players to the most experienced player in the squad in the same way, so I take my hat off to him for that. He goes out of his way to ask players how they are doing, especially when they are not playing, and about things outside of rugby.”
Van der Merwe’s contract extension is the latest piece of successful negotiations carried out by Everitt as he continues to strengthen his squad for next season. Darcy Graham signed a new three-year deal at the start of this week, while earlier this month Grant Gilchrist, whom Everitt appointed co-captain alongside Ben Vellacott this season, agreed a one-year extension.
Blair Kinghorn has left, of course, and as things stand it looks likely that No 8 Viliame Mata will follow the full-back out of the door at the end of the season. Even so, the coach - who is himself currently negotiating a new contract after only signing a one-year deal when he joined in the summer - can be fairly happy with the rebuilding work he has done so far.
“We’d like to keep everyone,” Everitt said. “It’s not always possible, but we’re pleased to sign Duhan. He’s been really good from what I’ve seen in training and his attitude amongst his team-mates, and he loves playing for Edinburgh.
“Duhan is one of world rugby’s brightest talents. He’s a big-game player.
“Prior to my arrival, chatting to him over the phone, he said he wanted to have his best season ever for Edinburgh, and I know that it’s an improvement on last year - which bodes well for Scottish rugby going into the Six Nations.”
