Van Der Merwe extends terms ahead of derby decider

Scotland internationalist and British & Irish Lion Duhan van der Merwe today penned a new deal with Edinburgh Rugby that will see the star winger remain in the Scottish capital until at least June 2025.

Van der Merwe, 28 – now in his second spell at the capital club – puts pen-to-paper on the extension ahead of this Saturday’s 1872 Cup decider against Glasgow Warriors, which will see a record crowd of over 30,000 descend on Scottish Gas Murrayfield to roar on the biggest names from both east and west.

Van der Merwe joins fellow winger Darcy Graham in this week re-signing with Edinburgh Rugby. The dangerous duo – who are both chasing Stuart Hogg’s all-time try-scoring record for Scotland [27] – are two of world rugby’s most devastating finishers, and are now locked in for the capital club.

On penning a new deal, Van der Merwe said: “Edinburgh is home for me. I love playing my rugby here and it’s where I’m happiest. I’m delighted to have extended terms – I couldn’t imagine playing anywhere else at this point in my career.

“Edinburgh has done so much for me in my career. I’ve always said that I want to repay the faith the club has shown in me over the years, so it was a no-brainer to sign a new deal.”

He continued: “We’ve got a special group here and there is a real feeling of togetherness, with everyone buying into what Sean [Everitt] is trying to build. I’ve really enjoyed his coaching style and man-management so far. Playing under him is great, so long may that continue.”

Joining Edinburgh in the summer of 2017 from Montpellier, Van der Merwe cemented his popularity among the capital faithful with 10 tries in his debut season.

He then averaged a try every other game for Edinburgh and was named PRO14 Players’ Player of the Season at the end of the 2019/20 campaign.

Qualifying through residency, he made a try-scoring Scotland debut in the home win against Georgia in October 2020.

He then notched up scores in both Florence and Dublin, before scoring the only try of the game in Scotland’s 2021 Calcutta Cup victory against England at Twickenham.