Duhan van der Merwe is a bit of a freak. Honestly, there isn't a better way to put it.
You’ve seen the highlights. The 106kg frame barreling through professional athletes like they're made of cardboard. That iconic 2023 solo try against England where he basically decided that five defenders simply didn't exist. He’s 6ft 4in of pure power, yet he moves with the grace of a much smaller man.
But here is the thing: a lot of people think he’s just a "finisher." That’s wrong.
The Record No One Expected
Back in July 2024, during a summer tour match against Uruguay, Duhan did something huge. He scored his 28th international try. That single moment moved him past Stuart Hogg as Scotland’s all-time leading try scorer.
Think about that.
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He did it in 41 caps. Most wingers would take a whole career to sniff those numbers. By late 2025, he had pushed that record even further, hitting his 35th try in a dominant win over Tonga at Murrayfield.
People love to debate his eligibility because he was born in George, South Africa. It’s a tired conversation. He’s been in Edinburgh since 2017. He failed his first medical there because of a hip issue, and the club stood by him anyway. That kind of loyalty sticks with a player.
What the Stats Don’t Tell You
If you look at the raw data, Duhan is a monster. In the 2023 Six Nations, he beat 35 defenders. That is a ridiculous number. It means every time he touches the ball, there is a statistically high chance someone is getting embarrassed.
But it hasn't always been easy.
- The 2025 Lions Tour: He made his second British & Irish Lions squad, heading to Australia. He scored a hat-trick against the AUNZ Invitational XV.
- The Slump: By early 2026, things got a bit rocky. He’s 30 now.
- The Injuries: Ankle surgery, toe issues, and more hip problems have kept him sidelined for chunks of the 2025-26 United Rugby Championship season.
Kinda makes you wonder if the "freakish" athleticism has a shelf life.
Actually, Duhan doesn't think so. He recently told reporters he feels faster than ever, which is weird for a guy hitting the big 3-0. He’s obsessed with the gym and rehab. He knows he isn't a "young pup" anymore.
Why He’s Not Just a "Power" Wing
There’s this persistent myth that Duhan van der Merwe can’t defend or handle a high ball.
It’s mostly nonsense.
Early in his career, yeah, he looked a bit clumsy. He was a "touchline winger" who waited for the game to come to him. But under Gregor Townsend and alongside guys like Finn Russell, he’s evolved. His "catch ratio" on contestable kicks has improved massively.
He worked like crazy on his game intelligence. Mike Blair, the former Edinburgh coach, once noted that Duhan used to just try and run through everyone. Now, he’s developed an offloading game that actually makes him more dangerous.
The "Springjock" Label
He gets a lot of stick for being a "Springjock"—a South African playing for Scotland. He’s heard it all. But you’ve got to respect the work. He didn't just walk into the team; he spent three years in the residency "waiting room" proving he wanted to be there.
He’s scored against the Springboks, too. He doesn't hold back.
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What Really Happened in 2025?
The 2025 Six Nations was a bit of a rollercoaster for him. Scotland had some tough results, including a heartbreaking one-point loss to England at Twickenham. Duhan scored—of course he did—but a missed conversion from Finn Russell meant the try wasn't the match-winner it should have been.
Then came the injuries.
He missed a big chunk of club rugby with Edinburgh. He only managed one try in six appearances for his club during the late 2025 season.
Coach Sean Everitt has been vocal about it, though. He insists it isn't a "loss of form." It’s just the reality of a big man’s body needing a break. Duhan is set to return for the 2026 Champions Cup clash against Gloucester, and all eyes are on whether he still has that "point of difference" that makes him so scary.
The Verdict on Duhan
Is he the best winger in the world?
Maybe not if you want a tactical kicker. If you want a guy who can defend the 15-meter channel perfectly every single time, there might be "safer" options.
But if you want someone who can take a ball 60 meters out and score when nothing is on?
There is nobody else.
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His impact on Scottish rugby is permanent. He didn't just break the record; he shattered the idea of what a Scottish winger looks like. He brought a level of raw, intimidating physicality that the national team simply lacked for decades.
How to Watch Him Next
If you want to see if the magic is still there, keep an eye on the 2026 Six Nations. Scotland needs him fit. Without Duhan stretching the defense, Finn Russell has a much harder time finding space.
Watch for these specific things in his next game:
- The Fend: Watch how he uses his left arm. It’s basically a piston.
- The Work Rate: See how often he pops up in the middle of the park rather than just staying on his wing.
- The High Ball: Check his positioning. He’s much better at reading the flight of the ball than he was two years ago.
Duhan van der Merwe is entering the "veteran" phase of his career. It’s going to be fascinating to see if he can adapt his game as the top-end speed inevitably starts to dip. But for now, he’s still the man every defensive coach in the world has nightmares about.