Vermeulen instructed to report for Bok duty

Editor

Springbok number eight Duane Vermeulen has been instructed by SA Rugby to make himself available for the June Tests despite plans by Toulon to punish him if he does so.

According to a Netwerk24 report, the 29-year-old will have to put his Test retirement in writing to SA Rugby if he doesn't report for duty for the Springboks' upcoming three-Test series against Ireland in South Africa next month.

Such a move will mean that Vermeulen will not be allowed to play Test rugby for six months.

Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has threatened not to pay his players' salaries during June, if they are not at the club during that period, although World Rugby's rules state that clubs must release their players during the June Test window.