Duhan van der Merwe has his defensive critics, and for a big man at 6ft 4 inches, even Scotland fans would admit that he's not rock solid under the high ball; however, what the Scotland international is is a force of nature with bulldozer carrying and a devastating ability to find the try line.
Duhan van der Merwe has his defensive critics, and for a big man at 6ft 4 inches, even Scotland fans would admit that he's not rock solid under the high ball; however, what the Scotland international is is a force of nature with bulldozer carrying and a devastating ability to find the try line.
That last attribute appears to have fallen in modern-day selectors' priority list, with kicking games recognised more than finishing prowess.
By the time the series concluded, van der Merwe had watched all three Tests from the sidelines — without a single minute in red. For a winger who had not only performed but excelled in the lead-up matches, the decision feels not just harsh but also unjustifiable, considering the form of his wing counterparts.
Tommy Freeman shone in the second test with important carries, but the England star failed to grab the headlines of his potent form shown in the Red Rose, while James Lowe endured a comfortably below-par tour that arguably should have seen him hooked in place of either van der Merwe or Mack Hansen, and Blair Kinghorn struggled to hit the ground running when he arrived late from Toulouse.
A game breaker that the Lions needed
Van der Merwe scored five tries in as many games in the build up to the Test series, breaking tackles for fun and posing a threat every time he touched the ball.
Compare that with the form of others — most notably Lowe, who came into the Tests carrying the expectations of Ireland’s previous Six Nations success, but delivered very little of substance. Lowe’s Test contributions were tidy at best, tentative at worst. He struggled to make an impact in attack, was exposed under the high ball, and too often drifted out of games that desperately needed game-breakers.
Van der Merwe, by contrast, is a game-breaker. He’s a player who, at his best, doesn’t just follow structure — he bends it. His record-breaking try record for Scotland speaks for itself. A player of his calibre and strike rate doesn't need a dozen touches to make an impact — he needs one.
His exclusion showed reputation over form
It’s easy to see how the Lions coaches might have favoured the so-called “safer” options — those seen as more reliable under the high ball, stronger defensively, or better communicators. But this was a Lions tour he earned. He didn’t just coast into the squad off reputation — he proved himself in every warm-up game. He showed hunger, form, and flair. To then be completely frozen out of the Tests will sting — and rightly so.
This isn’t to say selection is simple. There are always difficult calls and tight margins. But it’s impossible to ignore that van der Merwe did everything asked of him — and then some — and still couldn’t crack a bench spot. Meanwhile, others were given the benefit of the doubt on reputation, not form.
The Lions are a unique beast, and not everyone will get a fair crack. But if the jersey is truly about rewarding those who rise on tour, then van der Merwe has every right to feel aggrieved.