Edinburgh coach Sean Everitt believes the club’s strong South African contingent – spearheaded by Duhan van der Merwe, Pierre Schoeman and Boan Venter – will be key to the Scottish outfit’s fortunes in the Vodacom URC this season.
Everitt, himself a proud South African, was quick to throw his weight behind compatriot Van der Merwe after a testing British & Irish Lions tour. Scotland’s record try-scorer returned from Australia without a Test cap, but his coach insists the explosive wing will emerge stronger.
“Duhi would have been disappointed not to get a Test opportunity,” Everitt said. “But he’s bounced back from setbacks before. He’s a true professional and we know he’ll be back giving his best for Edinburgh and Scotland.”
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Everitt pointed to Van der Merwe’s lack of game time leading into the tour – an 11-week injury layoff before his Lions return – as a key factor in his performances.
“You need a run of games to build confidence,” he explained. “He still scored tries, but sometimes selections come down to familiarity. Andy Farrell went with players he knows. If Rassie Erasmus coached the Lions, I think we’d see a very different side.”
Another South African, prop Pierre Schoeman, featured prominently on tour but also missed out on the Test 23. Everitt praised his countryman’s energy and attitude, saying the experience of training and scrummaging alongside the likes of Andrew Porter and Ellis Genge will serve both player and club.
“Selfishly, you want players to stay with Edinburgh, but when they come back from those environments, they’re better players,” Everitt said.
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Venter, meanwhile, is living his dream as part of the Springbok squad in the Rugby Championship. The loosehead understudy to Schoeman at club level has already earned Test minutes this season, and while Edinburgh may lose him for the start of the URC, Everitt views it as an investment.
“For him to get that experience of playing in the Rugby Championship is going to give us a better player coming back,” Everitt said. “It’s been a dream for him, and when someone achieves their dream, you’ve got to be happy for the player.”
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