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Van der Merwe makes Edinburgh return as part of 'ridiculous' back three
By Ian Cameron
Scotland international and British & Irish Lion Duhan van der Merwe is set to make his ‘second debut’ for Edinburgh against Benetton at DAM Health Stadium.
It will be the first time he's played for Edinburgh since 2021, having left for the now-defunct Worcester Warriors last year.
Van der Merwe quickly became a cult hero in the Scottish capital after scoring 32 tries in 67 appearances for Edinburgh in his first stint at the club. He will be part of a truly mouth-watering Edinburgh back three which includes Argentine international Emiliano Boffelli at full-back and current URC top-try scorer Darcy Graham.
Scotland cap Mark Bennett returns from injury to start at outside centre alongside James Lang. Blair Kinghorn and Henry Pyrgos make up a familiar half-back combo.
“We were obviously disappointed with last weekend’s result but, after further review, there were a lot many positives to take into this week’s training and the squad have reacted brilliantly," said head coach Mike Blair. “We’ve had a really strong week of training and the guys have been switched on and fully focussed, ready take the field again this Saturday night where’ll face a Benetton side full of confidence.
“We’re delighted to name Duhan [van der Merwe] in the starting line-up and he’ll no doubt get an excellent reception from our supporters who’ll be excited to see him back in Edinburgh colours.
“The squad are eager to get back to winning ways and the crowd at DAM Health Stadium will have a huge part to play in driving us forward for the full 80 minutes.”
EDINBURGH:
15. Emiliano Boffelli
14. Darcy Graham
13. Mark Bennett
12. James Lang
11. Duhan van der Merwe
10. Blair Kinghorn
9. Henry Pyrgos
1. Pierre Schoeman
2. David Cherry
3. WP Nel
4. Sam Skinner
5. Grant Gilchrist
6. Nick Haining
7. Luke Crosbie
8. Viliame Mata
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Adam McBurney
17. Boan Venter
18. Luan de Bruin
19. Jamie Hodgson
20. Ben Muncaster
21. Charlie Shiel
22. Charlie Savala
23. Chris Dean
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Latest Comments
Aha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
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