Edinburgh’s Urgency to Retain Van der Merwe Questioned

Recent speculation regarding Duhan van der Merwe’s potential transfer to France upon the expiration of his Edinburgh contract this summer led to an inquiry directed at Sean Everitt. Everitt responded by stating the club was “desperate” to retain him. However, the author contends that if Edinburgh’s desperation is as significant as Everitt indicated, their stance is misguided. Drawing on a phrase from Ian McGeechan, Van der Merwe is characterized as a “Test match animal,” implying his performance peaks at the international level rather than in club rugby. His financial remuneration from Edinburgh is substantial, yet the perceived value returned for this investment is considerably lower. This performance pattern was not always the case. Upon Van der Merwe’s arrival at Edinburgh in 2017, club rugby appeared to be his primary focus. During his initial three seasons, he demonstrated strong scoring, achieving 10 tries in 18 games in his first season, 10 in 23 in his second, and 11 in 19 in his third. Subsequently, his transition to a Test player coincided with a decline in his try-scoring for Edinburgh, with his scoring efforts shifting to the international arena. The Edinburgh wing has accumulated 28 tries in 41 Tests, a remarkably impressive record. Across his four complete international seasons, his scoring statistics are exceptional: eight tries in nine games, four in nine, five in nine, and 11 in 13. In contrast, his try-scoring figures for Edinburgh during those corresponding seasons were significantly lower: one in seven games, two in eight, and seven in 17. This data excludes his season spent at Worcester. Relatively speaking, Van der Merwe commands a substantial salary. The question is posed whether, if Scotland continues to benefit from his Test match tries, it would be more advantageous for Edinburgh to remove him from their payroll. Edinburgh, currently experiencing renewed difficulties, requires significant restructuring. Releasing some of their highest-paid, underperforming players is suggested as a suitable initial step for a necessary rebuild. Van der Merwe’s play is described as simultaneously thrilling and infuriating. While he possesses exceptional running ability and a tendency to score captivating tries, he has not been characterized as having a high work ethic or being a comprehensively skilled rugby player. Kyle Steyn, who is currently injured, is considered a more well-rounded performer, exhibiting less dynamism but greater consistency. Furthermore, Kyle Rowe, described as resilient and astute, is currently demonstrating superior performance compared to Van der Merwe. Van der Merwe exhibits a recurring pattern of inconsistency during matches for Edinburgh, frequently becoming disengaged for extended periods. He is also noted for defensive vulnerabilities and weakness in aerial contests. Nevertheless, his indispensability for Scotland stems from the understanding of his potential for “pure devastation” when he possesses the ball and is fully engaged in the game. It is asserted that no other player can replicate his unique capabilities, though there is a desire for him to demonstrate them more frequently. While he will consistently be selected for Scotland when fit, Edinburgh is advised to initiate internal discussions regarding his value. Questions are raised: Is he a worthwhile investment? Should the club genuinely be “desperate” to extend his contract? Does Van der Merwe’s actual performance for Edinburgh, as opposed to his perceived potential, warrant the significant financial outlay? During his tenure as a Scotland international, Van der Merwe has maintained an impressive try-scoring rate of 0.68 per game. However, since achieving international status, his try return for Edinburgh has been 0.35 per game. It is anticipated that he will likely regain his peak form this autumn. This situation would understandably prompt individuals at Edinburgh to inquire: “Where’s that Duhan when he plays for us?” The club is contending with numerous challenges, and the decision regarding their prominent wing player represents one such issue.