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Van Der Walt: 'He's a big legend in South African rugby... It's exciting'
By PA
Edinburgh’s Jaco Van Der Walt is relishing the prospect of locking horns with South Africa icon Morne Steyn this weekend.
The 37-year-old Springboks legend this week joined up with the Bulls squad ahead of their trip to the Scottish capital for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship match.
Steyn has been on international duty in recent months and kicked the late penalty that clinched the Test series against the British and Irish Lions in the summer.
He is set to return to the club circuit at the DAM Health Stadium this weekend.
Edinburgh fly-half Van Der Walt, who grew up watching his fellow South African star for the national team, is looking forward to sharing a pitch with him.
The 27-year-old said: “I was very young when he started playing. He’s a big legend in South African rugby. He’s been good for South African rugby so it will be good to play against him if he plays. It’s exciting.”
Van Der Walt, who joined Edinburgh from the Lions in 2017, is expecting another tough test against South African opposition this weekend after last weekend’s 20-20 draw at home to the Stormers. Bulls, meanwhile, picked up an impressive win away to Cardiff.
He said: “You can’t underestimate South African teams. They’re physical and they play good running rugby. All the South African teams definitely looked better last weekend. We can’t underestimate the Bulls. They’ll bring a different style of play to Stormers but they’re a physical team as well with a bunch of big boys.”
Van Der Walt set up both of Edinburgh’s tries as they roared into a 14-0 lead after just six minutes against the Stormers last weekend, but he admits they must find a way to maintain such standards for longer.
He said: “I loved that first 10 minutes. We just need an 80-minute performance like that now – that’s the challenge for this weekend.
“Every number 10 likes to play running rugby. It’s always nice to get a line-break or two, and if the team scores a try from it, it makes it so much sweeter.
“It was only my second game of the season. There’s still a long season ahead so I just want to try and keep that form and serve the team. It will be difficult to maintain that form but my confidence is high.”
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Latest Comments
There are a number of commercial avenues that arise from having a draft. Draft day in itself is a large commercial event that draws huge revenues from broadcasters and sponsors.
The context you added is “rugby’s current interest levels” but I don’t see how interest levels wouldnt be stimulated by a draft if it was done correctly. We already have fairly robust player movement in Super Rugby - a draft is really just adding in some structure and showmanship to the whole thing.
Your suggestions for a draft make sense - I would set the pathways alongside the U20s programs (min age of 20) but I wouldnt cap it, I would also allow players to come from any pathway - club, university and provincial competitions.
Go to commentsI know JGP and Lowe never played for the All Blacks but they were both multi year super rugby players. At the time Lowe was closer to ABs but I’m sure JGP would’ve made it at some point.
Either way those examples are terrible. Born, grew up and went though a development system where they became professionals. The barrier to represent another nation should be higher. Maybe the 5 year rule stops it, let’s see.
With the stand down, wonder if you could make it tier 1 > tier 2 only for switching? I’m guessing that’s the whole intention rather then say Sotutu going to England or Hodgman going ABs > wallabies.
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