Schalk van der Merwe will pull on an Ulster jersey for the first time this Sunday, as he is named in the Ulster A team to play Cornish Pirates in the second round of the British & Irish Cup.
Related: Ulster A team announcement for British & Irish Cup versus Cornish Pirates
Shortly after agreeing to join the Province during the summer, the South African loose-head prop sustained a surgery-requiring shoulder injury that delayed his involvement for the early part of the season.
Having undergone a rigorous rehab programme, the 26-year-old is keen to make up for lost time:
“I had a total dislocation so it took a lot of work to get back to full fitness, but the medical team and the rest of the staff at Ulster have been great with me. When I first came over I wasn’t able to be involved in the first team training sessions so I just focused on buying into the culture and everything else away from the pitch. Now I’ve got the thumbs up I am really looking forward to getting out there and showing what I can do for Ulster.”
Despite his injury woes, van der Merwe acknowledged that he has settled well into his new surroundings:
“I was here last November on tour with the Barbarians. I saw the place and I knew a little about it, but coming here now and knowing this will be my home for the next three years is lovely. It’s just a place you can make home with your family.
“My wife is here and my two boys - one is 4 months old and the other is 4 years old. They are loving it. We have a lovely house just out near Ballymena. I’m a country boy and I want to be in the countryside - I want the sheep and cattle outside my window when I wake up.”
Although he was unaware at the time of agreeing to join Ulster, van der Merwe has welcomed the addition of two clubs from his homeland to the reformed Guinness PRO14, and he is more familiar with them than most:
“I played for both of the new teams so I know them well. I started my rugby at the Cheetahs and I played recently with the Kings, so I’m excited to see the guys play in this competition and I’m looking forward to coming up against them as well.
“For all of us it’s a new experience but I think it’s really exciting for the two South African teams to be joining the PRO14. They just want to be part of this and enjoy a new experience and a new challenge. The Kings are excited to join and I’m glad I’m on this side playing against those guys.
“I think it will do a lot for South African rugby as well, being a different competition and playing different teams. I also think it will be good for European rugby going to South Africa to face a different style of rugby and maybe take some players out of their comfort zone.”
Related: Ulster A team announcement for British & Irish Cup versus Cornish Pirates
Shortly after agreeing to join the Province during the summer, the South African loose-head prop sustained a surgery-requiring shoulder injury that delayed his involvement for the early part of the season.
Having undergone a rigorous rehab programme, the 26-year-old is keen to make up for lost time:
“I had a total dislocation so it took a lot of work to get back to full fitness, but the medical team and the rest of the staff at Ulster have been great with me. When I first came over I wasn’t able to be involved in the first team training sessions so I just focused on buying into the culture and everything else away from the pitch. Now I’ve got the thumbs up I am really looking forward to getting out there and showing what I can do for Ulster.”
Despite his injury woes, van der Merwe acknowledged that he has settled well into his new surroundings:
“I was here last November on tour with the Barbarians. I saw the place and I knew a little about it, but coming here now and knowing this will be my home for the next three years is lovely. It’s just a place you can make home with your family.
“My wife is here and my two boys - one is 4 months old and the other is 4 years old. They are loving it. We have a lovely house just out near Ballymena. I’m a country boy and I want to be in the countryside - I want the sheep and cattle outside my window when I wake up.”
Although he was unaware at the time of agreeing to join Ulster, van der Merwe has welcomed the addition of two clubs from his homeland to the reformed Guinness PRO14, and he is more familiar with them than most:
“I played for both of the new teams so I know them well. I started my rugby at the Cheetahs and I played recently with the Kings, so I’m excited to see the guys play in this competition and I’m looking forward to coming up against them as well.
“For all of us it’s a new experience but I think it’s really exciting for the two South African teams to be joining the PRO14. They just want to be part of this and enjoy a new experience and a new challenge. The Kings are excited to join and I’m glad I’m on this side playing against those guys.
“I think it will do a lot for South African rugby as well, being a different competition and playing different teams. I also think it will be good for European rugby going to South Africa to face a different style of rugby and maybe take some players out of their comfort zone.”