Duhan van der Merwe is currently not playing for Scotland because he was simply left out of the matchday squad by head coach Gregor Townsend, rather than due to injury or suspension.

Quick Scoop: What’s Going On?

For the recent Scotland vs Italy fixture in the 2026 Six Nations, van der Merwe was not selected in the 23 by the coaching team. Reports make clear this is a selection call, not a confirmed new injury lay‑off or disciplinary issue.

In other words, he is available but not picked for that specific game.

Possible Reasons Being Talked About

Publicly, the core fact is just “not selected,” but fans and forums are kicking around a few likely angles:

  • Form and tactics: Coaches may feel other wings fit the game plan against Italy better (kicking, aerial game, work rate off the ball, defensive structure).
  • Rotation and squad balance: In a long championship, coaches often rest established starters to look at alternatives and manage workloads.
  • Recent workload and niggles: Van der Merwe has had ankle issues across 2025, including time out for ligament damage and surgery, so there may be caution around minutes even if he’s nominally fit.
  • Competition for places: Scotland have more depth in the back three now, so missing one match does not necessarily signal a major fall from grace.

None of the main reports for this specific Italy match mention a fresh ban or a new serious injury; they frame it as a straight selection decision.

Recent Context Around His Fitness

To understand why people are nervous when he’s missing, you have to look at the year leading up to 2026:

  • Early 2025: Van der Merwe picked up an ankle injury with Edinburgh, needed a scan, and was initially projected to return around May.
  • April 2025: Edinburgh confirmed he had ankle surgery and was expected back in May, making his race for the Lions tour a big talking point.
  • Late May 2025: There were positive updates that he “had a chance” to return in time for Edinburgh’s URC quarter-final against the Bulls, after progressing through rehab and training.

So when he drops out of a Scotland squad now, many fans instinctively assume the ankle has flared up again. For this Italy game, though, the reporting doesn’t say that; it just notes non‑selection.

Forum / Fan Discussion Vibes

On rugby forums and social channels, the discussion around “why is Duhan van der Merwe not playing” usually falls into a few camps:

  1. “Coach’s call” camp
    • Argue this is normal rotation and tactics.
    • Point to Scotland’s need to test depth on the wing in a long season.
  2. “Managing his body” camp
    • Note his previous ankle issues and Lions ambitions; suggest the staff are being cautious even if he’s technically fit.
  1. “Reading too much into it” camp
    • Push back against panic, pointing out he has been a nailed‑on starter for years and one game out is not a major exile.

An example of how fans talk about it:

“Given his ankle history and Lions workload, it makes sense if they’re picking spots for him rather than flogging him every round.”

TL;DR

  • For the recent Scotland vs Italy match, Duhan van der Merwe is not playing because he was not selected by head coach Gregor Townsend, not due to a confirmed new injury or suspension.
  • Over the last year he has had ankle problems and surgery, which is why any omission sparks speculation, but current reports on this specific game frame it as a selection decision.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.