'Lomu-ed the England backline': Rugby world react to Duhan van der Merwe's 55-metre ripper

Scotland completed their third consecutive Calcutta Cup victory over England with a 29-23 victory at Twickenham that put a dampener on the first Test of the Steve Borthwick era.

England were undone by four Scotland tries, including a double to player-of-the-match Duhan van der Merwe whose first effort stunned the rugby world with a long-range burst on a kick return.

The South African-born winger drew comparisons with the late great Jonah Lomu for the way he blew past five England defenders, breaking through four low waist-high leg tackles before a final fend on No 8 Alex Dombrandt.

One of the all time great Calcutta Cup tries from Duhan ⚡️#AsOne pic.twitter.com/2qQSAScwI2

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 4, 2023

The try was instantly labelled an all-time classic with the ‘superhuman’ effort from Van der Merwe earning plaudits from ex-players, pundits and fans alike.

Former England flyhalf Andy Goode called it an ‘absolute worldly’ while Ugo Monye called it ‘pretty special’. Bristol Bears prop Max Lahiff said the Scotland No 11 went ‘full Homelander’.

Duhan went full Homelander. Discarding lads like a Kardashian. Class game of rugby. Smith and Russell too much fun to watch. Ambition was rife from both teams.

— Max Lahiff (@LahiffMax) February 4, 2023

Duhan just Lomu-ed the England backline. #ENGvSCO

— Jon Cardinelli (@jon_cardinelli) February 4, 2023

Wow! What a try from Duhan McVan der McMerwe! Absolute worldy!

— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) February 4, 2023

That is superhuman. Duhan van der Merwe hasn't played since 30 Dec. A Calcutta Cup classic.

— Jamie Lyall (@JLyall93) February 4, 2023

DUHAN STOP THAT 😱

— Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) February 4, 2023

Scotland thoroughly deserved that win in a marvellous game at Twickenham, not least for a 55-metre solo try in which Duhan Van Der Merwe brought David Duckham back to life.

— Richard Williams (@rwilliams1947) February 4, 2023

Duhan van der Merwe broke 10 England tackles. Plenty for Kevin Sinfield to work on.

— Ben Coles (@bencoles_) February 4, 2023

That was pretty special from Duhan 👏🏾 #ENGvSCO https://t.co/vfH5sGbT66

— Ugo Monye (@ugomonye) February 4, 2023

Duhan van der Merwe is now level on 16 tries for @Scotlandteam with Darcy Graham + the big man has only played 24 Tests, an amazing strike rate…

There are only 8 male players ever who have scored more tries than the @EdinburghRugby duo pic.twitter.com/MhlDk9aqib

— Gary Heatly (@G_HMedia) February 4, 2023

Duhan van der Merwe’s second try of the night after some expansive team play gave Scotland the lead with six minutes remaining.

An early pass from Matt Fagerson gave the powerful wing some space before he cut back through multiple tackles to reach out and score his double.

“As a winger you don’t get a lot of opportunities to score so I needed to take them,” van der Merwe said in his post-match interview.

“I was quite surprised how I got my first but I will take that one all day long.”