TOONY'S FULL OF PRAISE FOR 50-CAP VAN DER MERWE

GREGOR TOWNSEND admits Duhan van der Merwe has exceeded his expectations as the winger gets set to claim his 50th Scotland cap.

- BY GRAEME MACPHERSON

The South Africa-born star has become one of the leading lights in the team after making his debut against Georgia five years ago.

The Edinburgh flier is also the country’s all-time record try-scorer with 32 from his 49 appearances.

Townsend admits he wasn't sure what he was getting when he selected van der Merwe for that first cap in October 2020.

But the head coach believes he's gone on to become one of the most influential figures in a Scotland jersey as he prepares to rack up his half-century against the USA.

He said: “Duhan's debut was just five years ago so to get 50 caps within that period shows how important he’s been for us, in terms of being selected whenever he’s been available.