The Sharks have all but confirmed the acquisition of a breakout star for the Springboks last year.
Sharks reveal new signing.
The Sharks have all but confirmed the acquisition of a breakout star for the Springboks last year.
In a social media clip, the Durban outfit have teased the signing of Lions and Bok winger Edwill van der Merwe.
According to reports, the Sharks fended off competition from overseas to secure the services of Van der Merwe from next season.
He was reportedly a target for Premiership club Sale Sharks, but the 28-year-old has seemingly put pen to paper on a deal at the Shark Tank.
Van der Merwe will strengthen a Bok-laden backline that includes Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Grant Williams and Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse
Van der Merwe left the Stormers in 2021 for Johannesburg where he has thrived under Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen, the one-Test flyer’s pace and finishing ability making him one of the most dangerous wings in the Republic.
He marked his Test debut in June 2024 with a try, as the world champions eased to a 41-13 victory over Wales at Twickenham.
One of four players in the match to make their first appearance for the Boks, Van der Merwe crowned his day with a 40-metre sprint to score under the posts.
In total, the speedster beat four defenders, made two clean breaks, ran 71 metres and completed all three of his tackle attempts, earning the Man of the Match award.
Read more:
Springbok Winger Cheslin Kolbe Scores 60-Metre solo stunner in clutch win over Kwagga Smith
Springboks winger Cheslin Kolbe scored a crucial try in Suntory Sungoliath’s 22-17 victory over Kwagga Smith’s Blue Revs on Saturday.
It was a much-needed result for Suntory who had won just four of their opening 12 games of the season and were in danger of missing out on the play-offs for the first time since 2016.
Kolbe’s solo try
Following three straight defeats, Kolbe and co. needed a victory but faced the daunting task of facing the Blue Revs, who have enjoyed a fine run of form this season.
The Smith-led side have won three games more this season than they had all of last and despite this weekend’s defeat, they remain in the top four.
It looked as if Suntory would not end their run of defeats when the Blue Revs hit the lead through Justin Sangster in the 18th minute in a closely fought first half.
However, Springbok flyer Kolbe gave his team a boost before the half-time break as he picked off a loose pass by Blue Revs’ fly-half Shuntaro Kitamura inside his own half and sped away.
The double World Cup-winning Springbok had too much pace for the covering defence and dotted down under the sticks as Suntory led 10-7 at the break.
Blue Revs hooker Takeshi Hino grabbed a five-pointer at the back of a maul to get the hosts back in front after half-time but a yellow card soon after gave Suntory a route back into the game.
Prop Kenta Kobayashi benefitted from the man advantage as the front-rower ran a scrum-half-esque cheat line to receive a pass from ex-Crusaders centre Isaiah Punivai to reclaim the lead.
Another try from Ruga Hashimoto gave Suntory a 22-14 advantage in the final quarter of the match before Sam Greene cut the lead to just five points in the 72nd minute.
