Edwill van der Merwe is delighted to follow in Herschel Jantjies’ footsteps as the Kylemore-raised speedster prepares for his Springbok debut.

Van der Merwe is one of four uncapped players in the Springboks’ matchday-23 for the opening Test of the year against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.

The 28-year-old has had to bide his time, having made the bold decision to move from the DHL Stormers to the Lions in 2021.

Raised in Kylemore, the small town near Stellenbosch that Bok scrumhalf Jantjies also calls home, Van der Merwe was touted for big things as he represented the Junior Springboks and set a try-scoring record during his four years with Maties in the Varsity Cup.

After three seasons with the Lions, Van der Merwe will finally realise his Springbok dream when he runs out in the green and gold on Saturday afternoon.

“It’s taken me some time to get this opportunity, but I’ve always had faith that someday it will come … don’t know how, but the opportunity is here now,” Van der Merwe told reporters in Pretoria on Tuesday.

“God created this opportunity for me and I just have to grab it with both hands on the weekend and make the most of it.”

Van der Merwe said that he has been receiving supportive messages from Kylemore ever since he was named in the squad to prepare for the Test last week.

“It’s a very small town, very proud people, people who love rugby.

“Just this whole last week… since I’ve got the call to join the first training camp… everyone’s been sending messages. The primary school in Kylemore even made little posters for me.

“There are a lot of proud people [there], so I don’t just carry my own dream with me, but also the people of my community. I’m looking forward to the opportunity of playing for South Africa.”

Van der Merwe is hoping to inspire the people of Kylemore, as Jantjies did when the Stormers scrumhalf shot onto the international scene in 2019, helping the Springboks win the World Cup.

“I remember after the 2019 World Cup when Herschel came home, there was a mini trophy tour for him at the back of a ‘bakkie’. The streets were lined, myself included,” Van der Merwe said.

“There are a lot of people who look up to us and I think it’s a good opportunity for me to be a role model for the people in my community. I’m very privileged to get this opportunity.

“I also think I’m Springbok No 55 from Paul Roos… so I’m also very proud of that.”

Photo: Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

The post Edwill proud to carry Kylemore in Bok debut appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Src: sarugbymag.co.za