Roelof van der Merwe is a Dutch-South African professional cricketer who has significantly impacted international cricket.
Born on December 31, 1984, in Johannesburg, South Africa, van der Merwe is one of the few players to have represented more than one international team, having played for South Africa and the Netherlands.
Van der Merwe is named in the 15-man Dutch squad for the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India.
In this article, you will know Roelof van der Merwe’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Roelof van der Merwe’s Biography
| Full name | Roelof Erasmus van der Merwe |
| Nickname | Roelof van der Merwe |
| Birth date | 31 December 1984 |
| Height | 173 cm |
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Birthplace | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Nationality | Dutch, South African |
| Current Net Worth | $5 Million |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Unknown |
| Instagram Profile | roela52 |
Roelof Erasmus van der Merwe was born on December 31, 1984, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He holds Dutch citizenship by descent through his mother and was 38 years old on October 20, 2023.
His cricketing journey began with the South Africa national under-19 cricket team at the 2004 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh.
He made his domestic debut in 2006 for Northerns and tasted success in franchise cricket with Titans in the 2007-08 season.
Domestic Career
Van der Merwe began his career as a wicketkeeper-batsman, representing the South Africa national under-19 cricket team at Bangladesh’s 2004 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
He made his List-A debut for Northerns against North West in October 2006 and his first-class debut for Northerns against Limpopo in December 2006.
Van der Merwe had a successful 2007–08 season, moving into franchise cricket with the Titans.
He debuted for Titans in the SuperSport Series against the Eagles in November 2007. His first one-day appearance for them came in February 2008 against Zimbabwe.
He finished the MTN Domestic Championship as Titans’ leading wicket-taker with 27 wickets at an average of 14.25. He also scored 269 runs at 29.88.
International Career
Van der Merwe’s international career with South Africa spanned from 2009 to 2011, during which he played 13 ODIs and 13 T20Is.
His debut was marked by a stellar performance against Australia in 2009, where he top-scored with 48 runs and took his maiden international wicket.
However, despite his promising start, opportunities to break into the South African team became scarce, leading him to make a significant decision.
In 2015, van der Merwe switched allegiance to the Netherlands, leveraging his Dutch ancestry and mother’s Dutch citizenship.
Since then, he has represented the Netherlands in 3 ODIs and 36 T20Is, including the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Franchise League Career
Van der Merwe has played domestic cricket in his native South Africa and represented various teams in franchise cricket worldwide. He has also played for London Spirit in “The Hundred”.
He was the leading wicket-taker in the inaugural edition of South Africa’s own T20 league, SA20, as he went on to win the title with SunRisers Eastern Cape.
Wife
Dutch cricketer Van der Merwe is married, but he prefers to keep his personal life private. His wife’s name is unknown.
Roelof van der Merwe’s Net Worth Details
Roelof Van Der Merwe’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million as of 2025. The slow left-arm orthodox all-rounder’s prime source of earnings is his Dutch Cricket salary, franchise league fees, and sponsorship deals.
Salary and Career Earnings
Van der Merwe’s salary in the Netherlands team is between 115,000 and 135,000 dollars annually. He is also paid for each T20I and ODI he plays.
The batting all-rounder earned £100,000 playing for the Welsh Fire in The Hundred tournament in 2023.
| Team/League | Salary |
| Netherlands team | Between $115,000 to $135,000 annually |
| T20I and ODI matches | Paid per match |
| The Hundred | £100,000 |
Career Stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Balls Bowled | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy | 4W | 5W | 10W |
| ODI | 19 | 16 | 130 | 57 | 16.25 | 825 | 19 | 3/27 | 36.05 | 4.98 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20I | 52 | 50 | 465 | 75 | 21.14 | 997 | 56 | 4/35 | 19.10 | 6. |
FAQs
Who is Roelof van der Merwe?
Roelof van der Merwe is a professional cricketer who has played internationally for South Africa and the Netherlands. He was born on December 31, 1984, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He’s known as a versatile player—a left-arm spinner and a right-handed batsman.
What’s unique about van der Merwe’s international career?
Van der Merwe is one of the few cricketers who plays for two countries. He played for South Africa from 2009 to 2011 and the Netherlands from 2015 onwards, making him part of a small group of players representing multiple nations in international cricket.
How did van der Merwe end up playing for the Netherlands?
After struggling to get regular opportunities with South Africa, van der Merwe looked for other options. He had Dutch ancestry through his mother, which allowed him to get a Dutch passport in 2015. This made him eligible to play for the Netherlands, and he debuted for them that same year.
What are van der Merwe’s strengths as a player?
Van der Merwe is known for his aggressive style of play and versatility. He’s a solid left-arm spinner and can be a hard-hitting batsman in the middle order. He’s also known for his excellent fielding. His nickname, “bulldog,” comes from his tenacious attitude on the field.
Has van der Merwe played in any major tournaments?
Yes, he has. Van der Merwe has played in several T20 World Cups for the Netherlands, including the 2022 tournament. He was also part of the Dutch team in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he played a crucial role in their upset win over South Africa.
What’s van der Merwe’s domestic cricket experience?
Van der Merwe has played for various teams around the world. In South Africa, he played for the Northerns and Titans. He’s also played county cricket in England for Somerset and in T20 leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the SA20 league.
What’s one of van der Merwe’s most memorable performances?
One of his standout performances came in the 2023 ODI World Cup when the Netherlands beat South Africa. Playing against his former team, Van der Merwe took crucial wickets and played a key role in the upset victory.
How old is van der Merwe, and is he still playing?
As of 2024, van der Merwe is 39 years old. Despite his age, he’s still actively playing cricket. He was part of the Netherlands squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup and continues to play in various T20 leagues worldwide.
What’s van der Merwe like off the field?
Van der Merwe is known for his down-to-earth personality. He’s married with children and has balanced his cricket career with family life. He’s also known for his sense of humor and has been described as a great team player.
What are van der Merwe’s plans for the future?
While there’s no specific information about his retirement plans, van der Merwe has expressed interest in pursuing a career in the forces, specifically with the RAF’s fire service. He’s also explored post-playing opportunities like podcasting. However, he’s still actively playing cricket at the international level for the Netherlands.
