South African-born Duhan van der Merwe made a big splash in his first tour match for the British & Irish Lions but, in a world where it was possible, would he earn a start for the Springboks in this series?
ALSO READ: Why I am still picking a Springboks series win against the Lions
Obviously, it’s not possible. Any chance that Van der Merwe might represent the country of his birth disappeared when he made his debut for Scotland last year and went on to score eight tries in 10 Tests.
But that only makes it more tempting to wonder whether the 26-year-old, on current form, would have supplanted either Cheslin Kolbe or Makazole Mapimpi, the heroes of the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, in Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber’s plans.
In a completely hypothetical scenario, would you pick him to start for the Boks against the British & Irish Lions and, if so, which player would he replace?