Pierre Schoeman relishing being part of Scotland clan

South African Schoeman has been admirably honest in dissecting the strange scenario that sees a son of one country playing for another

WELCOME ADDITION: Scotland's Pierre Schoeman. Pic: PA

Pierre Schoeman couldn’t be happier. A positive, engaging sort with a sense of humour that belies the dour Afrikaaner stereotype, he sat in a stuffy, makeshift tent at the Stade Nicois amateur club’s ground that has served as Scotland’s base this week and luxuriated in a chapter that is by far the most rewarding of his rugby career.

His popularity within the squad is obvious and the appreciation for his talents and his personality is echoed by the chants of ‘Schoo’ that envelop the ground whenever the imposing loosehead gets his mitts on the ball.

It wasn’t meant to be this way. Not this quickly anyway.

Schoeman graduated from the same Afrikaanse Hoer Seunskool in Pretoria as RG Snyman, Malcom Marx, Trevor Nyakane, Manie Libbok, and Jesse Kriel so his dream, quite naturally, was to wear the famous green and gold.

Any lingering thoughts of Test rugby were conceded when he moved to Edinburgh on a three-year deal in April of 2018. World Rugby had extended the three-year residency ruling to five just eleven months earlier so there were no tartan thoughts on his arrival.

Then the world turned upside down and the game’s governors pressed the pause button on the new legislation.

“I can only say with gratitude that it is a miracle, to be honest. It would have actually been five years but because of covid it was three years so two years less. I would have only made my debut for Scotland now if it wasn’t for covid so there is always a blessing in disguise somewhere.

“It has been massive. I have been honoured and privileged to do it but you have to be on top of your game as well. Putting on the jersey for Scotland in a World Cup in the south of France gives you that extra fuel to prep. You want to do it a hundred times.” 

His impact was immediate with a try on his debut against Tonga. By the end of that November window he was the only one among Gregor Townsend’s squad to have featured in all four games. He already has 25 caps and is absolutely vital to the Scottish game.

He told a story at one time about lying on a beach in Bali with his wife and wondering if he could get through endless days training and playing in the wind and the rain that is part of life in Scotland, but his commitment to the cause has been total, that aside.

He is one of six players in this Scottish squad who has been sourced south of the equator but then Ireland have unearthed seven from the same environs with some players on both sides qualifying via residency and others by dint of birth or blood.

James Lowe has been admirably honest in getting his head around the rules that allow him to wear a green jersey and Schoeman has been equally honest in dissecting the strange scenario that sees a son of one country playing for another.

“Oh, that was one of the easiest transitions to make. The Scottish people are lovely. The team is excellent. But there is an expectation of producing. The competition is healthy, you have excellent players in every position so you have to be on top of your game.

“But the cohesion and the environment are excellent. Me and my wife always say the sun doesn't shine much in Scotland, but within the group and the fans, it feels like there's a warm sunshine in our hearts. I know it sounds a bit deep but it's really beautiful.

“Everyone feels that warmth when they put on that thistle on the jersey, represent Scotland and sing the anthem. Also to spend time with the fans. I know they are so proud of all the boys here as you can see them in their numbers coming abroad as well.” 

Schoeman, who has arms as thick as most men’s legs, might be an asset for reasons other than his play. The same goes for Duhan van der Merwe, Sione Tuipulotu, and Jack Dempsey who have been less exposed to the narrative of Scotland’s struggles against Ireland.

None of these relatively recent converts have lost to Ireland more than a handful of times.

“I do believe so. We are all Scottish now, whether we like that or love it, and it is a massive honour. The two games I played against Ireland for Scotland were my favourite games. I enjoyed them the most and I am looking forward to this game as well.

“It’s not just Dempsey, Sione, Duhan, myself, and so on. I think the whole group believes we can win. That’s the way we train. That's the way we prepare. And I am genuinely being sincere with you, the whole group believes we can win the game.”