Edinburgh have confirmed that flyhalf Jaco van der Walt is set to be called up to the Scotland squad for the Autumn Nations Cup playoffs next weekend.

Van der Walt will not be available for Edinburgh’s next PRO14 match against Ulster next Monday as he prepares to link up with the Scotland squad.

The 26-year-old recently qualified for selection on the residency rule, having been in Scotland since 2017. He is expected to start training with Gregor Townsend’s side now that he has completed his quarantine period after flying to South Africa to get married.

ALSO READ: How Heyneke Meyer sought to sign Carter

Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill said that even though he will be without his first-choice flyhalf for a crucial match, he is delighted for Van der Walt.

‘He won’t play for us on Monday as he’ll be preparing hopefully to be involved with Scotland on the Saturday,’ Cockerill told Scotland’s media. ‘He has worked really hard at his game and is very committed to want to play for Scotland. We’re very proud we have another player in the squad who’ll get another opportunity in a week or so.

‘He has worked really hard at his game and is very committed to want to play for Scotland. We’re very proud we have another player in the squad who’ll get another opportunity in a week or so.’

Scotland are currently without both Finn Russell and Adam Hastings due to injuries and have opted to back Duncan Weir in the Autumn Nations Cup.

Weir, who has been impressive with his goal-kicking in the tournament, welcomed the addition of more competition in the Scotland squad.

‘Jaco has done really well for Edinburgh,’ Weir said. ‘I know him well from my time there, so it will be great if he joins the squad and we can bounce off each other.’

Van der Walt will join fellow South Africans WP Nel, Oli Kebble and Duhan van der Merwe in the Scotland squad.

Photo: Bruce White/SNS Group