Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

How an Englishman saved England slayer Van der Merwe

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Friday, 21 February 2025 00:06

And that brings us back to Cockerill, head coach of Edinburgh at the time.

"We signed him for not a lot of money, but he had this hip issue," he said. "There was a problem with the cartilage in his hip and he failed his medical. He needed surgery. He was going to be missing for three or four months.

"I'm thinking, 'Well, he's going to be good and he's not expensive, let's look after him and over time that breeds trust and loyalty'.

"Some members of the SRU said, 'He's not fit, he's failed his medical, so we shouldn't keep him. He's effectively in breach of contract'.

"It was madness. Some at Murrayfield would not have had him because he was injured, but a little patience and he's turned out to be one of the best in the world."

Cockerill saved the SRU from itself. Of course, the irony of an Englishman fighting for a player who's been the slayer of England is not lost on him. The whole thing appeals to his sense of devilment.

But there was more to it than just signing Van der Merwe. There was developing him, too. And he needed some amount of developing.

There are still aspects of his game that are far from world class - defence, work-rate, ability in the air. He seems to save his best stuff for Test rugby, which can be a bugbear of Edinburgh fans.

But, when he's on, boy, he's unplayable.

"He understands the game better now than he did before," Cockerill said. "He's turned into more of a complete player, but back then it was just raw pace - and you can't coach speed, can you?

"In the early stages with Edinburgh, he was very wooden. Finishing wasn't a problem, but understanding the game defensively needed improving, to say the least.

"Catching the ball was a problem. At the start, when the the ball was in the air, you were closing your eyes and hoping he'd catch it.

"The boys used to take the mickey out of him because, you know, he's not going to win any crossword competitions. But put a rugby ball in his hands and watch out."

Read 50 times

Soccer

Miami trades forward Robert Taylor to Austin FC

Miami trades forward Robert Taylor to Austin FC

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsInter Miami CF has traded forward Robert Taylor to Austin FC for $7...

Madrid face Copa crisis as Camavinga, Alaba hurt

Madrid face Copa crisis as Camavinga, Alaba hurt

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCarlo Ancelotti admitted that it will be "difficult" for David Alab...

Arteta: Arsenal 'dropped standards' against Palace

Arteta: Arsenal 'dropped standards' against Palace

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLONDON -- Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal "dropped our standards" in...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Celtics' Tatum misses first playoff game of career

Celtics' Tatum misses first playoff game of career

EmailPrintCeltics star forward Jayson Tatum missed the first playoff game of his career Wednesday ni...

Knicks' Brunson wins NBA's Clutch Player award

Knicks' Brunson wins NBA's Clutch Player award

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAfter arriving in New York three years ago, Knicks star Jalen Bruns...

Baseball

Diaz 'good' after exiting Mets' win with hip issue

Diaz 'good' after exiting Mets' win with hip issue

EmailPrintNEW YORK -- Edwin Diaz left the New York Mets' 4-3, extra-innings win over the Philadelphi...

O's Rodriguez has lat injury, weeks from throwing

O's Rodriguez has lat injury, weeks from throwing

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWASHINGTON -- Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, who...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated