Duane Vermeulen has been linked with a valedictory return to the Stormers, where he could reportedly start his move into coaching.
Vermeulen brought the curtain down on his international career by helping the Springboks successfully defend their World Cup title in Paris.
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While it was thought that Vermeulen would hang up his boots with the World Cup over, the veteran No 8 could yet extend his playing days.
According to a report by News24, the 37-year-old is in line for a final contract with the Stormers, where he would also start his transition into coaching.
With Jacques Nienaber leaving the Springboks to begin the next chapter of his career in Ireland, it has been reported that Vermeulen has been earmarked as a potential successor as South Africa’s next defence coach.
Having begun his career at the Cheetahs, Vermeulen made his name in Cape Town between 2009 and 2015, helping the Stormers progress to the 2010 Super Rugby final.
The Stormers contracted veteran prop Brok Harris in a similar capacity when he returned to the Western Cape from Wales to assist with coaching the team’s scrum, but ended up playing 19 games in the inaugural 2021-22 United Rugby Championship season.
The loose forward depth in Cape Town, however, means that Vermeulen would not be expected to make as many appearances, should he return.
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