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Cape Town - An uncertain future in South Africa and Cricket South Africa’s quota system played a part in him leaving the country, ex-Proteas all-rounder Roelof van der Merwe says.
Van der Merwe, 30, last week announced that he was leaving the Titans for a career with the Netherlands after obtaining Dutch citizenship.
Van der Merwe pursued a Netherlands passport through his Dutch ancestry and it was secured on Monday, June 29.
He made his debut for his adopted country last Friday, scoring an unbeaten 40 runs and talking 2/27 against Nepal.
“It wasn’t an easy decision, but I believe it’s in the best interests of my career and my family,” Van der Merwe told Netwerk24 from Amsterdam.
“Just over a year ago, me and my wife (Juanita) started talking about the possibility of moving to the Netherlands.
“When the chance arrived, we just had to take it.
“It’s not nice to admit it, but South Africa is currently not the place where I want to bring up my two daughters.”
He also said Cricket South Africa’s controversial quota system played a part in his decision to move abroad.
From next season, all South African franchise teams would be required to field at least six players of colour in their starting teams. Of those six, three must also be blacks Africans.
“It (quota system) wasn’t the only consideration,
but definitely played a role,” said Van der Merwe.
“My cricket has improved markedly over the last few years and I believe I still have a few decent years left. I have to make the most of it.”
Van der Merwe was the leading four-day run-scorer for the Titans in the 2014/15 season, managing 774 runs at an average of 55.28.
The middle-order batsman struck three centuries including a remarkable double-hundred as the Titans broke their century-drought which yielded only one score beyond three figures in the 2012/13 and 2013/14 Sunfoil Series seasons.
Van der Merwe featured in 13 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 13 T20 Internationals for South Africa in 2009 and 2010 and captured 31 wickets as left-arm spinner. His three for 27 was his best return for the Proteas.
Although he was not re-selected for South Africa after 2010, a resurgent Van der Merwe was arguably the Titans’ best bowler in the limited-overs format two seasons ago.
His 15 wickets in 12 matches enabled the Titans to rally and reach the One Day Cup final in 2013/14, which was washed out, resulting in shared spoils for the Titans and the Cape Cobras.
Van der Merwe started the batting renaissance of the Titans in the 2013/14-season with his five half-centuries and was the leading run-scorer.
He continued his amazing transformation last season and pioneered a new batting spirit which inspired the Titans top-order to record 10 centuries.
