Duhan van der Merwe has left no room for doubt – his heart beats blue.
The rampaging Scotland winger has slammed shut any possibility of ever wearing the Springbok jersey, insisting the green-and-gold is off the table for good.
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Instead, he’s fully committed to the nation that gave him his break, reaffirming the powerful connection he’s forged with Scotland on and off the pitch.
Built Like a Bulldozer
Standing at 6ft 4in and carved like Rustenburg granite, Duhan van der Merwe is a nightmare for defenders. With flowing blond hair and thundering runs, he could pass for a cross between Johnny Bravo and Action Man.
Heart Under the Muscle
Beneath the cartoonish destruction on the pitch lies a genuine emotional connection off it.
“When I speak about it, I get really emotional because it’s a country that has given me so much when I had nothing,” Duhan van der Merwe said.
From Montpellier Misfortune to Edinburgh Glory
After a tough spell at Montpellier – including a failed medical – Edinburgh took a chance on him. That decision changed the course of his career.
“I went over as a young boy and people don’t understand how hard it is, leaving your family behind, leaving everything behind, going to a country where you don’t know how things work,” he explained.
“Initially, my English wasn’t good at all. It was tough. People don’t understand how hard that transition is. It’s not easy, no one has guaranteed me: ‘Oh, Duhan, if you move over at the age of 22 you’ll be Scotland’s top try-scorer, you’ll have played 49 games for Scotland, you’ll go on a second Lions tour.’
“People don’t see the amount of hard work and sacrifice you put in because I wouldn’t be sitting here without it.”
Scottish Legend
Now Scotland’s all-time top try-scorer and a two-time British & Irish Lion, Duhan van der Merwe has cemented his place in Scottish rugby folklore – and he’s not about to swap allegiances anytime soon.
Every Nations Championship squad ranked by foreign-born players – from least to most
Using information and research from Americas Rugby News, we have ranked all 12 Nations Championship squads from the lowest percentage of foreign-born players to the highest.
It is important to note that foreign-born does not necessarily mean a player was developed overseas. Several players on this list moved countries as children and came through the rugby system of the nation they now represent.
12. Argentina – 0%
Foreign-born players: 0/35
Argentina are the only team in the inaugural Nations Championship with a squad made up entirely of players born and raised in the country.
Felipe Contepomi’s squad also highlights the continued growth of rugby outside its traditional Buenos Aires stronghold.
At the 2007 Rugby World Cup, 27 of Argentina’s 31 players came from Buenos Aires province. In the current squad, that figure has fallen dramatically, with Córdoba and Tucumán now producing a growing number of internationals.
Foreign-born players: None
11. South Africa – 2.17%
Foreign-born players: 1/46
Rassie Erasmus has selected just one player born outside South Africa.
Vincent Tshituka was born in Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before his family moved to South Africa when he was a child.
The flanker was entirely developed by the South African rugby system, meaning all 46 players in the Springboks squad are considered homegrown.
Foreign-born player:
- Vincent Tshituka – Democratic Republic of the Congo
10. England – 8.33%
Foreign-born players: 3/36
Steve Borthwick has selected three players born outside England, with all three featuring in the backline.
Marcus Smith was born in the Philippines and first played rugby in Singapore before moving to England aged 13.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was born and raised in Wales, while Benhard Janse van Rensburg was born and developed in South Africa before qualifying for England.
England’s entire group of forwards were born and developed in the country.
Foreign-born players:
- Marcus Smith – Philippines
- Benhard Janse van Rensburg – South Africa
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – Wales
9. Wales – 12.12%
Foreign-born players: 4/33
Steve Tandy’s squad contains four players born outside Wales.
Ben Carter was born in England but moved to Wales just weeks after his birth, while Max Llewellyn was also born in England but came through the Welsh system.
Ellis Mee was developed in England before being identified through his Welsh family connection, while Blair Murray was recruited from New Zealand.
Wales also have several players who were born in the country but developed elsewhere, including James Botham and Taine Plumtree.
Foreign-born players:
- Ben Carter – England
- Max Llewellyn – England
- Ellis Mee – England
- Blair Murray – New Zealand
