Vermeulen: “It’s going to be a massive Test”

Duane Vermeulen will captain the Springboks for the first time on Saturday when they take on the All Blacks in Wellington in what will also be his first match against the New Zealanders since the epic 2015 Rugby World Cup semi-final in England.

 

The big South African No 8 has been entrusted with the captaincy duties for this encounter in the absence of regular Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, who is recovering from a knee injury.

 

Saturday’s crunch Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test between the two arch rivals kicks off at 19h35 (09h35 SA time) and will be televised live on SuperSport1.

 

“Only a few players had the honour of captaining the Springboks in the history of our game, so it is an unbelievable honour for me,” Vermeulen replied when he was asked to describe the feeling of leading the Springboks for the first time.

 

“There’s a bit of emotion, but it’s controlled emotion.”

 

The captaincy role is of course not new for the very experienced Vermeulen, who has led the Cape Town-based DHL Stormers on many occasions in Vodacom Super Rugby, before successful stints in the French and Japanese leagues.

 

When he was asked to describe his style of captaincy, Vermeulen replied: “The people who know me will tell you that I just love to play, and that I am not one for big speeches.

 

“I think I lead by example, and from that point of view it’s the way I like to play the game.

 

“My role in the team still stays the same and we have a big leadership group, which is good for the team. On match days there’s a couple of us who talk on the field,” said Vermeulen, who also mentioned that Kolisi contacted him on Friday morning to wish him and the team good luck for Saturday.

 

It will be two much-changed squads that will play against each other on Saturday in Wellington, after both coaches decided to make wholesale changes by bringing back a big group of players that were not involved in the opening round of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.

 

“Both teams are looking forward to this game,” said Vermeulen.

 

“We both maybe tried out a few combinations last week to see who some of the guys are that will be putting up their hands for Rugby World Cup selection.

 

“I think tomorrow will be a massive game with both sides ready to have a good go at each other.”

 

Test match fever has gripped both countries, who are eagerly awaiting the clash between the two rivals. A capacity crowd of 35,600 will watch the match in the New Zealand capital.

 

@Transvaal, Really ? Duane is one of best players 

He stole a few balls in rucks for the Bulls this year, but mainly from opposition backline players that got isolated, and he doesn't carry effectively. He scored one brilliant try when he intercepted a scrumhalf pass from a line-out, and that probably secured his place in the bok team for the next 30 years or so

Your post did not age well...so far he played exactly like he played for the Bulls this year...2 carries in the 1st 40 minutes and lost the ball in the 2nd carry that lead to the NZ try, he is way over his prime and does not deserve to be in the squad

Transvaal wrote: Verdwyn Vermeulen....

Stem Transvaal, moet se Kwagga speel n goeie game Dover. Maak tackles ek rip die balle. Bokke speel baie goed , kan net nie druk nie

Is Malherbe en Marx ooit op die veld?

Ek moet se, ek was nie altyd Pollard se grootste fan nie maar ek kan nie help om te dink dat as dit Jantjies of n ander losskakel was wat daai laaste skop moes vat ons dalk sou verloor het nie...

Jup, altwee het baie goed gedoen daar

Okay , I’ll admit Duane was very average today.

Transvaal wrote: Goeie pressure skop van Pollard om die gelykop te kry, 16-16. Hoe maak mens hierdie span sterker? Drop Malherbe, RG Snyman moet begin in Eben se plek, Louw in Verdwyn se plek, en agter kan mens ook al die ouens wat so min hou van tackle vervang soos Mapimpi

 

Edited by Attie Karate - 27-Jul-2019 at 8:56pm

OomPB wrote: Transvaal wrote: En die skrummie Jantjies het baie goed gedoen om daai drie te druk, weet nie of Faf dit sou kon doen nie, ek sal hom selfs begin van nou af Herschel Jantjies het in sy Paul Roos dae Grey Kollege se boere stil gespeel. Het geweet daai tyd hy gaan n Bok wees maar nie geweet so goed nie.  Kwagga het baie goed gespeel.