Ruwald van der Merwe impressed on his Warriors debut as Franco Smith’s side beat Sale Sharks in the Champions Cup.
Glasgow Warriors’ latest South African import said he was ‘absolutely honoured’ to make his debut for the club in their 47-27 Champions Cup win over Sale Sharks.
Ruwald van der Merwe, no relation to Scotland and Edinburgh winger Duhan, started the match at number 8 for Franco Smith’s side and put in an impressive performance with several big carries. His ‘explosiveness’ was a quality that the head coach had told supporters to expect in the build-up to Saturday’s match at the CorpAcq Stadium.
The 28-year-old, who was signed in the summer from Currie Cup side the Pumas, caught the eye during the first half before being replaced in the 52nd minute by Scotland international Gregor Brown. It will have been the first time that many Warriors fans will have seen the 6ft 2in back rower in action and it’s fair to say he didn’t disappoint.
“I’m absolutely stoked” - van der Merwe impresses on Glasgow Warriors debut
“Yeah, obviously absolutely honoured,” he said after the match. “So glad I could get this opportunity. So thankful towards Franco and the whole squad.
“The squad's been great since arriving in Glasgow, I'm absolutely stoked. Obviously Franco said no pressure. Just carry, tackle, do what you do. There's no obligations for now. I'm just absolutely grateful to get my debut and to have it in this fashion.”
Also making his debut in the win down in Salford was hooker Ottavio ‘Tavi’ Tuipulotu. The younger brother of Scotland captain and Warriors centre Sione was a late call-up to the replacements after the withdrawal of Gregor Hiddleston.
The 22-year-old also impressed after replacing Seb Stephen on 61 minutes with some pinpoint line-out throws and finishing off the bonus point securing seventh try at the back of a driving maul. He also spoke after the match and was equally delighted to see some action, especially since arriving at Scotstoun last year and almost immediately being side-lined with a long term injury.
He said: “It's not the way I wanted to get it [Hiddleston withdrawing] but I'm so grateful for the opportunity. I've been on the sidelines for nearly 18 months and to get the dub like that with a good group of boys, and my brother on the field, it can't get better than that.”
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