After three months sidelined with injury, Edwill van der Merwe is ready to hit top gear in Saturday’s Vodacom URC clash with Edinburgh at Ellis Park.
The speedster is set to make his return from three months on the sidelines with an ankle injury when the Lions host the Scottish side on Saturday.
Van der Merwe scored six tries for the Lions last season and is feeling the excitement, rather than the pressure, of making his way back onto the field against a Scottish international-laden Edinburgh.
“This weekend I get another opportunity to do it. I never put a lot of pressure on myself. My starting point is to enjoy the game,” Van der Merwe told Netwerk24.
“It is important to enjoy my rugby and play with a smile. That’s when I play my best rugby.
“I just have to trust that the work I’ve been doing for the last while under the supervision of the medical team is sufficient.”
The 28-year-old made a try-scoring debut for the Springboks in the opening Test of the year against Wales at Twickenham in June, but suffered his injury after being released from the squad to pick up some game time for the Lions in the Currie Cup.
Van der Merwe’s time with the Boks offered valuable lessons, recalling a particular chat with assistant coach Mzwandile Stick.
“I remember at my first Springbok practice we played 15 against 10. After performing a low tackle, I stood up and walked back to my position,” he said.
“That evening during the review meeting of the day’s training session, coach Sticks told me that was not acceptable if I wanted to play for the Boks.
“From then on, it’s in my head to never walk, and to always be on the lookout for work to do.”
Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile via Getty Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
