[5] This injury saw Van der Merwe miss the 2008 Churchill Cup and Canada's 2008 European tour as well as ending his time with Saracens.

[6] During the 2009–10 Celtic League season van der Merwe made 11 appearances scoring 4 tries in the process for a total of 20 points as well as playing in 4 matches of the 2009–10 Heineken Cup.

[7] Following the conclusion of the 2011 Rugby World Cup it was discovered that Van der Merwe sustained some damage while playing in the tournament and was serious enough to require shoulder surgery.

He was brought on as a substitute as the game looked to be slipping away from the Warriors when he picked up a ball in the midfield in the 76th Minute and scored a deciding try.

Van der Merwe missed the first few games of his debut Scarlets season due to being with Canada at the Rugby World Cup.

Van der Merwe retired from rugby after the Giltinis were expelled from the MLR ahead of the 2022 playoffs due to a violation of league rules and the club was disbanded.

Van der Merwe made his debut for the Canadian national men's team against Barbados in 2006 as part of the third round of the 2007 Rugby World Cup – Americas qualification.

This promising play earned Van der Merwe a spot on the 2007 Canadian Rugby World Cup squad.

Canada finished last in their pool, missing out on advancement to the next round and failing to achieve automatic qualification for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The following week the Canadians hosted Wales with Van der Merwe being switched from his familiar back-three role to starting at outside centre.

In a hot and error filled afternoon for both sides, the United States edged the Canadians winning the match by six points, 12–6.

The first half saw USA outside centre Paul Emerick receive a red card for kicking Van der Merwe who had been grounded after making a tackle.