Duhan van der Merwe’s vow to Gregor Townsend as Scotland star reveals how he ‘turned the corner’
Duhan van der Merwe (right) played just once for Scotland during the 2026 Six Nations, but has vowed to reward Gregor Townsend this Nations Championship
Duhan van der Merwe has vowed to repay the trust placed in him by Gregor Townsend after revealing the Scotland head coach went out of his way to throw him an international lifeline.
Van der Merwe returns to the big stage in South Africa on Saturday against the nation of his birth, when he pulls on a Barbarians jersey against the world champion Springboks.
The Edinburgh try machine had written this season off after ankle and hip problems saw him go from British and Irish Lions tour to being dropped by Scotland.
Axed against New Zealand in November, he was then omitted from the team to start the Six Nations Championship.
‘Gregor knows what I’ve been through this season’
But a phone call out of the blue from Townsend has the 31-year-old dreaming of a recall and playing a part in Scotland’s upcoming Nations Championship campaign against Argentina, South Africa and Fiji.
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“Gregor knows what I’ve been through this season, what a very tough time it’s been,” said the wing, who could only watch as Darcy Graham took his mantle as Scotland’s all-time leading try scorer.
“After I managed to get back for Edinburgh’s last two games, against Dragons and Connacht, he phoned me up and said, ‘Look, I’ve got a real good opportunity for you to go and get some minutes under your belt’.
“Gregor offered me the chance to play for the Barbarians against the Springboks. I couldn’t believe it. It was a no-brainer. I didn’t think I’d ever get an opportunity to do this.
“It is brilliant that he asked me and I thank him for that. He has put a lot of trust in me to look after myself, enjoy the experience and join up with Scotland next week.”
The match takes place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, where Van der Merwe teams up with Warrick Gelant, his fullback in their school days at Hoërskool Outeniqua in George.
‘It hasn’t been easy losing my spot’
Van der Merwe, who, along with wife Nika, recently received British citizenship nine years after moving north and making their home in Scotland, via Montpellier, makes no secret of how tough the 2025/26 campaign has been.
Dropped for the All Blacks’ visit in November, he briefly had reason to be cheerful when scoring against Tonga to edge back in front of Graham as Scotland’s record try scorer on 35.
But Townsend preferred Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie to start the Six Nations – understandably, given Glasgow’s outstanding form in the Investec Champions Cup – and Van der Merwe’s only opportunity came in Cardiff against Wales in round three.
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In an interview with The Scotsman last month the man idolised north of the border for three successive player of the match performances against England, reluctantly admitted he was no longer the “go-to guy”.
How could he be, given the ankle issues that have dogged him since the Lions tour?
They feel a lot better now and it is reflected in his mood as he prepares to take on the Springboks for, he hopes, the first of two occasions in the next month – Scotland playing the world champs in Pretoria on July 11.
“I’m really looking forward to hopefully putting my hand up again for Nations Championship selection,” he said. “It hasn’t been easy losing my spot but I feel I’ve started to turn the corner a bit.
“Over the next couple of weeks recovery is going to be a key part. There’s a lot of travelling involved. But building up to the World Cup you want to be involved in these games. So it’s an exciting summer for us.”
Where Scotland’s confidence levels currently reside is an interesting question. Their autumn collapse against Argentina was humiliating. Losing to Italy was a dismal way to start the Six Nations, albeit the Azzurri we quickly discovered were much improved.
‘I know what’s coming anyway’
Huge home wins over England and eventual champions France, allied to Glasgow’s rampaging run to the number two seed in Europe, taking the scalps of Toulouse, Sale, Saracens and Clermont, transformed the mood in springtime.
But with a first Six Nations Triple Crown within reach, Townsend’s troops were, frankly, swatted aside by Ireland in Dublin.
“Look, it’s a big summer and we know we’ve got three very tough games, starting with Argentina,” Van der Merwe said. “It’s not going to be easy over there.
“We all know South Africa, in Pretoria, is going to be very tough, and then, have you seen the squad Fiji have picked? It’s pretty scary. So obviously that’s going to be a massive challenge too.
“But we believe, whoever we play, we can go out and beat them. There’s a lot of competition in our squad. It’s a very healthy environment.”
Van der Merwe added: “People ask whether this weekend will be useful to gauge the strength of South Africa.
“Honestly, I think I know what’s coming anyway. It doesn’t matter who South Africa picks. They’ve got unbelievable talent.
“Whoever they pick, it’s going to be a very tough task on Saturday. And, again, at Loftus in a few weeks’ time. I’ve faced them five or six times. They’re always very passionate, physical, big men.
“And they’ve got some real X-Factor players in the back line. It’s not going to be easy. It’s a massive challenge. But it’s something we as a squad are looking forward to.”
Tickets are available for Saturday’s Springboks-Barbarians clash exclusively at springboks.tmtickets.co.za. Tickets for Barbarians v Wales Double Header – Allianz Stadium – Twickenham 27 June – are available via Ticketmaster.co.uk and England Rugby, starting from just £20* for adults and £10* for under-16s. Hospitality packages are also available from £179+VAT PP, visit www.allianzstadiumtwickenham.com *Booking fees apply.
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