Duhan van der Merwe has ‘no plans’ to return to South Africa as Scotland winger weighs up offers
Duhan van der Merwe of Scotland scores his try during the Autumn Nation Series match at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh.
Scotland winger Duhan van der Merwe will not sign for a United Rugby Championship club according to reports.
Van der Merwe will start Scotland’s clash against South Africa on Sunday at Murrayfield and won’t be lining up with some of those Springboks next season despite recent reports.
Duhan van der Merwe snubs South African teams
The 29-year-old is in the final year of his contract with Edinburgh after returning to the Scottish side following the collapse of Premiership club Worcester Warriors.
According to a report by South African newspaper, the Rapport, Van der Merwe has ‘no plans’ to return to South Africa with Edinburgh fighting hard to retain the Scotland international’s services.
“It’s unlikely that he will go to the Stormers or the Sharks,” a source told the newspaper.
“It’s true that he enjoys interest from La Rochelle but Edinburgh are fighting hard to keep him with them.”
The report adds that the Stormers would have needed a third party to help cover Van der Merwe’s wages while the winger’s mother, Dulene, appeared on their podcast where she rubbished reports that he could sign with a South African team.
“That’s definitely not true,” she said when asked about him being in talks with the Stormers but added: “Watch this space.”
Further movement
While Van der Merwe won’t be heading to Cape Town, reports in France state that Springboks scrum-half Cobus Reinach will.
According to reports, the 34-year-old has signed a deal with the Stormers with Herschel Jantjies heading in the opposite direction. Midi Olympique states that Reinach’s return to South Africa is a ‘done deal’ while Jantjies’ move to France is still ‘holding rope’ but nothing is set in stone with him yet.
Meanwhile, the Bulls have re-opened talks with former Springboks centre Jan Serfontein after the Pretoria-based side failed to secure his services ahead of this season.
Finally, it is reported that Leicester Tigers are looking to sign Ireland fly-half Ross Byrne amid reports that Handre Pollard will be leaving the Premiership side at the end of the season to sign with Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath where he will link up with Springboks teammate Cheslin Kolbe and All Blacks flanker Sam Cane.
READ MORE: Bulls reignite efforts to sign Springboks back and 137kg prop from France – report
