Schalk Burger and Victor Matfield were delighted with Duane Vermeulen’s leadership in helping the Springboks see off a French onslaught in the World Cup quarter-final clash.
Vermeulen, 37, who will retire after the global showpiece, was substituted early in the second half only to return when fellow back-rower Pieter-Steph du Toit required a concussion test.
“His impact on the closing 20 minutes was massive,” Burger told SuperSport.
“When Siya (Kolisi) left the field, Bongi (Mbonambi) took over as captain and he wears his heart on his sleeve. He was at the coalface, battling to establish forward supremacy.
“Duane is more experienced as a leader and, working alongside Bongi, introduced calmness and clarity and provided some crucial information to the team.
“The pressure was intense, with France six points ahead and just 15 minutes remaining, and the influence of Duane cannot be understated,” added Burger.
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Matfield backed Burger in his assessment of Vermeulen.
“The Springboks were rushing things a little bit at times entering the final quarter, and that was a serious concern,” the former lock said.
“Duane brought calmness to the team, passing crucial advice to different players and assisting Bongi with the leadership.
“It was a team effort, but the role of Duane was absolutely critical. His experience from many seasons of Test rugby shone through in those tense final minutes.”
Burger admitted he was puzzled by the Springboks’ triumph, which set up a last-four showdown with England in Paris on Saturday. It is a repeat of the 2019 final won 32-12 by South Africa.
“It was a great escape for us. France dominated territory and possession, forced South Africa to make more than 160 tackles, and bossed the gainline battle.
“Where the Springboks did impress was the ability to absorb continuous pressure, then strike decisively in counterattacks.”
KOLBE: I did everything by the book
Burger and Matfield also praised winger Cheslin Kolbe, one of the four Springbok try scorers.
“His workrate and desire was amazing,” said Burger. “You cannot coach desire — you either have it or you do not.”
Matfield called the successful sprint by Kolbe to block a Thomas Ramos conversion attempt “incredible. I cannot immediately recall the last time I saw that happen”.
Capped 127 times by South Africa, Matfield said character under pressure enabled the Springboks to survive a French barrage for much of the match.
“We were under the cosh, but experience born out of many tight finishes in Tests came through to keep alive our hopes of back-to-back titles.”
The winners between three-time world champions South Africa and England will face New Zealand or Argentina, who meet on Friday, in the October 28 final.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images