Schalk: Duane has silenced his critics

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Schalk Burger says Duane Vermeulen, with several standout performances recently, has answered the naysayers who suggested that the Springbok No 8 is past it.

There had been plenty of speculation over Vermeulen’s role with the world champions in 2023, after the Bok management opted to give the veteran a break for the last end-of-year tour.

Reports suggested that the 37-year-old would lend a hand behind the scenes in a quasi-coaching role, rather than lace up his boots during the World Cup.

But, he returned to Test rugby with aplomb this year, captaining South Africa to wins over Australia and Argentina in the Rugby Championship, and looks set to be included in the 33-man squad for the showpiece in France.

Speaking post-match for SuperSport after the Boks beat Los Pumas at Ellis Park on Saturday, Burger paid tribute to his former teammate after his final game in the Republic.

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“Fortunately, I started playing against him when [he] played for the Cheetahs just after he came from the Lowveld, from Nelspruit, and then obviously, thankfully, joined us down in Cape Town [at the Stormers],” Burger said.

“So I spent many a time with him at No 8, me at openside [flanker], and Francois Louw at blindside flanker.

“Then we managed to play a few Test matches together [for the Springboks], but like you saw him tonight, the way he carried deep and he carried hard. And he’s got, like, a calmness about him; it’s almost like the bigger the occasion, the bigger Duane gets.

“He’s the man for the big occasion, and he’s always that type of calm influence within your changing room.

“So when you’re getting flustered, or the second half when the Boks were under the pump, you always see him talking to the ref at good opportunities. Experience brings that on to you as well.

“You know, three months ago, we were looking at a possible World Cup squad, and you think maybe Duane is not even in the mix? He captains [on Saturday] and puts up a captain’s performance.”

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

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