Big Lions fish Van der Merwe is swimming to the Shark Tank

The Sharks have once more successfully raided Ellis Park for a star player. This time, it is speed merchant Edwill van der Merwe who is reportedly on his way to Durban.

The Sharks have been after Van Der Merwe for over a year and according to reports on Sunday, and they have finally got their man. The Sharks have already bagged key Lions in Jordan Hendrikse and the Tshituka brothers, Vincent and Manu, while veteran Sharks prop Ruan Dreyer is also a former Lion.

The Durbanites first targeted Van der Merwe when Werner Kok winged it to Ulster some time ago but Van der Merwe was contractually bound. The Sharks have struggled to fill the void left by Kok, with Eduan Keyter having had limited success while also being injury-prone.

In recent weeks it has been a “battle of the Sharks” for Van der Merwe’s signature. Sale Sharks in Manchester put in a strong bid but the one-cap Springbok has chosen Durban. The 28-year-old was called up to the Springboks last June and had a dream debut against Wales. He scored a sensational try and was Player of the Match in the Boks’ 41-23 win.

Van der Merwe went to school at Paul Roos Gymnasium and later played four games for the SA Under-20 team. He played 13 matches for the Stormers between 2019 and 2021 before making Ellis Park his home.

The Lions will be disappointed to lose a fine finisher in Van der Merwe. The centre Marius Louw is also leaving and, recently, scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba went to Japan.