Duhan van der Merwe is Scotland's all-time leading try-scorer, a powerful winger who has toured twice with the British & Irish Lions.
Duhan van der Merwe was born on 4 June 1995 in George, in South Africa's Western Cape, and attended Hoërskool Outeniqua before progressing through South African provincial rugby with the Blue Bulls. He moved to Europe in 2016, joining France's Montpellier, before signing for Edinburgh in 2017, where his combination of size, power, and finishing ability quickly established him as one of the most feared wingers in the United Rugby Championship. Van der Merwe qualified for Scotland through the three-year residency rule and made his international debut against Georgia in October 2020, scoring a try, and went on to score eight tries in his first ten Test matches. His dramatic late try to win a Six Nations match against France in Paris in 2021 became one of the defining images of his early international career. Van der Merwe was selected for the British and Irish Lions' 2021 tour of South Africa, facing the country of his birth, and was selected again for the 2025 tour of Australia. He became Scotland's all-time leading try scorer in 2024, cementing his status as one of the most prolific finishers in the national team's history. Van der Merwe's brother, Akker, is also a South African-born rugby international, having earned caps for South Africa before playing club rugby in England, and the pair's contrasting international allegiances reflect the increasingly global nature of the modern professional game.
Scotland's record try-scorer, South African-born winger
How They Played
Van der Merwe is known for his explosive pace and powerful running style, using his 6'4" frame to break through defensive lines. He combines raw speed with excellent footwork and the ability to finish tries in tight spaces near the try line.
Career Honours
- Scotland record try-scorer
- two-time Lions tourist (2021, 2025)
| Club | Period | Apps | Tries | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh Rugby | 2020–2024 | 66 | 15 | #11 |
| Sale Sharks | 2017–2020 | 168 | 15 | #11 |
 Scotland | — | 50 | 27 | — |