Springboks Winger Decides his Future Rejecting Overseas Offer to Remain in South Africa
Springboks winger Edwill van der Merwe will leave the Lions at the end of the season, according to reports.
The 28-year-old has been weighing up his options, as his contract with Joburgers expires this season, and has opted to pack his bags and head to the coast.
Van der Merwe has been a standout start for the Lions in recent seasons, and his efforts in 2023/24 earned him a call-up to the Springboks squad, debuting on the wing in South Africa’s first Test match of 2024.
He scored a try in the victory over Wales at Twickenham Stadium before the two-Test series against Ireland but failed to feature again for Rassie Erasmus’ men after sustaining an injury.
Van der Merwe signs for the Sharks
Last week, Van der Merwe was linked with a move to the Durban-based and Manchester-based Sharks and had an offer on the table to re-sign with the Lions.
However, according to Rapport, the winger has put pen to paper with a deal to link up with John Plumtree’s Sharks in what will be a huge boost to the Durban-based side’s backline stocks.
Van der Merwe will join a long line of Lions stars who have packed their bags for Durban. Jordan Hendrikse, Emmanuel Tshituka and Ruan Dreyer all joined the Sharks ahead of the 2024/25 season from Johannesburg.
Tshituka followed older brother Vincent to the Sharks with the latter joining the season prior.
The speedster is the first rumoured signing for the Sharks ahead of next season but the side is set to bid farewell to several stars with Bok loosehead prop Ntuthuko Mchunu joining the Stormers to fill the void of retired double World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff.
Meanwhile, flanker James Venter will be joining Premiership outfit Gloucester while fellow forward Jeandre Labuschagne is reportedly on his way to Japan signing for the Canon Eagles.
Sharks backline stocks
While the Sharks team is stacked with star players, they have lacked depth on the wings with versatile back Ethan Hooker shifting from his preferred role in the midfield to start on the wing with Yaw Penxe and Eduan Keyter also filling in along with Makazole Mapimpi.
Mapimpi will celebrate his 35th birthday this year but shows no signs of slowing down after producing another standout performance for the Sharks in their narrow victory over Zebre. The double World Cup winner will still be available to the Sharks next season after signing a contract extension despite having offers on the table from clubs abroad.
If Van der Merwe is to join the Sharks, head coach Plumtree will be able to select a full starting backline of Springboks with Grant Williams, Hendrikse, Mapimpi, Andre Esterhuizen, Lukhanyo Am and Aphelele Fassi.
With young talents like Jurenzo Julius, Hooker, and Hakeem Kuene adding further backline depth.
