Duhan van der Merwe ‘bullies’ Ange Capuozzo by ‘manhandling’ the winger in try-saving tackle
Scotland's Cameron Redpath and Duhan van der Merwe, Italy's Ange Capuozzo compete for the ball during the Six Nations at Stadio Olimpico in Rome on March 9th, 2024.
Scotland winger Duhan van der Merwe denied Italy speedster Ange Capuozzo in a peculiar fashion during the Six Nations clash in Rome on Saturday.
The incident occurred just before half-time of the encounter after Scotland winger Kyle Steyn fumbled a pass, and his opposite number Louis Lynagh pounced to kick the ball forward.
Cameron Redpath sprinted back and jostled with Lynagh for the ball that eventually sat up for Capuozzo, who looked certain to score from about seven metres out.
Duhan van der Merwe v Ange Capuozzo
However, Van der Merwe reacted quickly and grabbed the Italian and ran with him over Scotland’s try line, where he held him up and prevented him from touching down for a try that, if converted, would have given Italy a one-point lead at the break.
“Duhan van der Merwe has got Capuozzo in his pocket there!” Miles Harrison said on ITV Sport’s commentary.
“And the long and short of it is that the Scotland winger is the winner there, the crowd don’t like it.”
Nolli Waterman added: “It’s kind of like David and Goliath, wasn’t it, with Van der Merwe and Capuozzo, but I thought it was going to be Lynagh’s first try on debut.”
Duhan van der Merwe manhandling Ange Capuozzo pic.twitter.com/jE74EmlwGg
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) March 10, 2024
Van der Merwe’s intervention meant that Scotland were awarded a goal line dropout.
Reaction
The fans saw the funny side of the defensive play from the Scotland winger.
“I hated how Duhan bullied Capuozzo there,” one wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
Another added: “Van der Merwe held Capuozzo like I hold my 1 yo son…effortlessly and nonchalantly.”
Italy end 11-year wait for Rome triumph as Scotland’s Six Nations hopes dented
“Duhan just manhandled Capuozzo there,” one fan noted with a similar post reading, “Capuozzo being ragdolled by Duhan has finished me there”.
But the conversation switched later in the game with Capuozzo chopping Van der Merwe, who scored a hat-trick against England in round three of the tournament, down on several occasions, denying the threatening wing attacking opportunities.
“Absolutely loving the battle between Van der Merwe and Capuozzo. Absolutely brilliant,” another fan wrote later in the game.
Il Tricolore enthusiastically added: “BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME DUHAN! Capuozzo (fist emojis)”
While Harrison said that Van der Merwe had Capuozzo in his pocket with the try-saving tackle, a fan said that was switched by full-time.
“Before Capuozzo leaves the ground to go home tonight, he’d better thoroughly check his pockets. Because DVDM is gonna still be in stuck in one of them,” their post read.
Finally, one fan added: “Also we need to absolutely mention Capuozzo neutralising VDM despite the size difference”
Despite trailing at the break, Italy went on to win the match, securing their first Six Nations triumph in Rome in 11 years with a 31-29 victory.
READ MORE: Italy player ratings: Juan Ignacio Brex shines in historic Six Nations win over Scotland
