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Cape Town - Flying Canadian wing DTH van der Merwe has impressed with his performances thus far at the Rugby World Cup.
The 29-year-old, who was born in the Western Cape town of Worcester, was on hand to score his third try of the tournament against France in Milton Keynes on Thursday.
His is a strong and powerful runner and has scored a try in each if his side’s three matches.
He is currently second on the list for the most tries scored in the tournament, with only Wales scrumhalf Gareth Davies above him with 4 tries.
Van der Merwe, South Africa’s JP Pietersen and Wales’ Cory Allen share second spot with 3 tries apiece.
But Van der Merwe is not only a good finisher, as his name crops up in several key leading statistics available on the tournament’s official website.
Van der Merwe has by far made the most metres on attack (328m) in the tournament, with Tongan wing Telusa Veainu a distant second with 260m.
Van der Merwe is also third in the carries over the gain-line statistic with 16, trailing Japan’s Michael Leitch (17) and compatriot Ciaran Hearn (23).
He shares second spot on the list for clean breaks with 6, alongside New Zealand’s Nehe Milner-Skudder and Wales’ Davies. England fullback Mike Brown leads this statistic with 7 clean breaks.
Van der Merwe may be a wing, but he is also not shy to off-load, with the South African-born flyer also impressing in this statistic with 5 off-loads, trailing only Fiji’s Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Georgia’s Mamuka Gorgodze (both 6) and Fiji’s Leone Nakarawa on 8.
He is also good on the ground, winning 5 turnovers, sharing third spot with Australia’s David Pocock. France’s Thierry Dusautoir (6) and Fiji’s Leone Nakarawa (7) lead this statistic.
Van der Merwe made his debut for Canada in 2006 and has since played 38 Tests for his adopted country.
He signed for Welsh club Scarlets earlier this year, having spent six years at Scottish club, Glasgow Warriors.
