English prop Max Lahiff has criticized the ‘illogical’ belief that Duhan van der Merwe wouldn’t secure a spot on the Springboks team over Cheslin Kolbe or Kurt-Lee Arendse.
Following Scotland’s impressive victory over England in the Calcutta Cup last weekend, the conversation has centered around the powerhouse winger Duhan van der Merwe, leading to discussions involving the Springboks.
Weighing in at 106 kg and standing 1.93m tall, the South African-born player is a formidable presence on the field. He has shone on the international stage for Scotland and is on track to become their top try-scorer in Test history.
At 26, Van der Merwe is close to becoming Scotland’s all-time leading try-scorer, now just one behind Stuart Hogg (27).
His pursuit of this record was highlighted by a hat-trick against England at Murrayfield on Saturday, sparking widespread discussion. The English media questioned the World Rugby eligibility laws and, by extension, Van der Merwe’s qualification to play for Scotland.
However, former English prop Max Lahiff took the conversation about Van der Merwe in a different direction, involving the Springboks.
Van der Merwe’s rise to prominence in Europe and his perceived struggles in games against Rugby Championship teams, as opposed to his performance against Six Nations teams, have led some South Africans to argue that he wouldn’t be selected for the current Springboks squad [if he were eligible].
In his new podcast ‘Maul or Nothing,’ Bristol Bears prop Max Lahiff called out South Africans, labeling them as dishonest for their belief that Van der Merwe wouldn’t replace Springboks stars Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse in the Test lineup.
