When Pierre Schoeman’s name was read out among the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad, the emotion came flooding in. Sitting on the sofa at home alongside his wife Charissa, the Edinburgh Rugby prop shared tears of joy, knowing that the years of hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering belief had finally paid off.
The South African-born loosehead, now a Scottish front row, is one of two Edinburgh Rugby players selected for the tour to Australia. The other being close friend and winger Duhan van der Merwe. In total, eight Scots made the prestigious 36-man squad, a significant show for Scotland’s progress on the international stage.
For Schoeman, this is not just a professional milestone, it’s the culmination of a journey filled with hope, grit, and faith.
“It’s an amazing moment,” he said. “For me personally, it is my faith that has carried me through the whole time. Faith and a great wife.
“I always say that my name, Pierre, in French means rock – my wife is my rock, as well as God, and it was a dream that we believed in.”
Born in South Africa, Schoeman moved to Edinburgh in 2018 after time with the Bulls, and later qualified for Scotland through residency, making his debut in 2021 against Tonga, scoring a try. Since then, his relentless work ethic and physical dominance have made him a standout performer for both club and country.
“All the sacrifice, then you get that reward – but this is not the final destination. I have a long road to climb.”
He recalls exactly when the Lions became a realistic target.
“Probably four years ago when it was Duhan’s first time, and Suz’s (Rory Sutherland) – a good friend of mine – as well.
“I just thought ‘go for Scotland but surely this has to be a dream’. If you don’t have a dream, then I don’t think you will give your best every day to get better and just to add any value you can in abundance.
That dream was inspired long before he pulled on a Scotland jersey, back when he watched the Lions Tour South Africa.
“I have a very fond memory of when they toured South Africa and Ugo Monye scored that great interception try in the third Test. But it had all come down to the second Test when Jacques Fourie scored in the corner and Morne Steyn luckily slotted the kick over.
“The army, the red sea, and the way the Lions stepped up and were not afraid. Fearless Lions – that came to mind.”
It’s not lost on Schoeman how significant this is for those around him too.
“My wife Charissa will definitely go (to Australia), even if she has to sell the caravan in Midlothian,” he joked.
There’s also deep pride in seeing van der Merwe earn his second Lions call-up.
“Very pleased. We have good banter, a great relationship on and off the field… even our wives work together now. We would have been nowhere without our wives in this whole process.
“The intensity, the accuracy, the pressure of getting it right in training… the camaraderie and the personal connections. You’re from four different nations – it doesn’t matter who or what you are, your beliefs, where you come from, you have to be pulling in the same direction.
“It’s a pride of hungry Lions and there’s only one option really.”
As for who he’s excited to link up with?
“Loosehead is a special kind of breed. We’re all weird and different animals. I specially look forward to spending a lot of time with Ellis Genge and Andrew Porter – it will be amazing on and off the pitch.”
