Veteran No 8 Duane Vermeulen has insisted he is not retiring any time soon and is determined to earn a place in the Springboks’ World Cup squad later this year.
Vermeulen was a notable omission on the Springboks’ end-of-year tour in November, with some suggesting the 2019 World Cup hero’s best days are behind him, as the 65-Test-capped veteran turns 37 in July – two months before the global showpiece kicks off in France.
But, the SA hard man was colossal for Ulster against the Sharks in a Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash on 25 February, at one point storming away after a breakdown steal before sprawling fellow Bok Rohan Janse van Rensburg with a powerful fend.
Ulster coach Dan McFarland believes Vermeulen still has “phenomenal” influence on games and should be selected for the Boks if they aim to defend their world title, and the grizzled loose forward agrees that he still has a key role to play for the men in green and gold in 2023.
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“I am going to give everything to make the Springbok squad for the World Cup,” Vermeulen told Sunday newspaper Rapport. “I am in no way considering retiring before the World Cup.
“I read somewhere that they announce the World Cup squad on 8 August. At least it gives a man enough time.”
Vermeulen’s agent, Gerrie Swart, added: “All the things that make Duane good aren’t linked to his age, as is the case with an outside linebacker [in gridiron football].
“For the first time in three seasons he is injury free and in a position to use his leg strength again in tackles.
“You’re also going to have a hard time cleaning him [out] at a loose end.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images