It’s probably still going to be a long road for Duncan Van Schalkwyk in terms of establishing himself as an Eagle, but he achieved a major major milestone just by being called up to the Americas Rugby Championship squad.

Head coach Gary Gold and general manager Dave Hodges don’t put players in camp just for fun - they bring them in because those players can help now. Some of those youngsters - Ruben de Haas, David Ainuu - have ended up contributing maybe earlier than expected. That’s what happened when you play a physical game that could cause injuries.

Now it’s the turn of the Life University and former Charlotte Tiger flyhalf/scrumhalf Van Schalkwyk to earn his bones.

Mostly a flyhalf, Van Schalkwyk was chosen in part because he can also play scrumhalf, giving the Eagles some flexibility.

“I have been playing scrumhalf, some last year in the second half [of games] but I definitely had to go back and refresh my brain,” said Van Schalkwyk. “But honestly I will play anywhere.”

Born in Pretoria, South Africa, Van Schalkwyk moved with his older brother Zander and his family to Charlotte, NC. 

“My dad came over for a vacation, and loved it and within the next month we moved over and started a new life,” he said. “It was the best decision my parents have ever made, I think, for us as a family.”

The brothers beat up on each other, as brothers do, as they grew and both ended up playing at Life. Duncan, now newly married, will find himself balancing school, a college season, the Eagles, and married life. He credits his wife, Peyton, with supporting him through it all.

“She’s been amazing,” he said.