Duane Vermeulen to sit out Rugby Championship

Editor

Springbok number eight Duane Vermeulen confirmed after Saturday’s 25-10 defeat to England at Newlands that he will miss the Rugby Championship as he needs a rest.

Vermeulen has been an inspirational figure in the Boks’ recent resurgence under Rassie Erasmus, having put in some talismanic performances since his return to the international fold.

The 31-year-old went straight from a long and demanding European season with Top 14 side Toulon into a gruelling three-Test series against the Red Rose and believes the only way he will be in peak physical condition at the World Cup in Japan next year is if he takes a break from the game.

“It will be difficult not to be part of it (Rugby Championship), but we’ve got the plan and I’ve spoken to Rassie about it. I think there’s time in the coming weeks where we can work out the exact plan and what we want to do,” Vermeulen told IOL at Newlands on Saturday.

“But it’s great being back and being part of a young squad – guys who are excited to play. They love to play, they love to get together.

“It’s just great to pull this green jumper over your head again. So, I’m really happy to be back, and I hope to be part of the coming Tests. I know it’s not going to be in the Championship, but we’ll see down the road.

“But it’s a great team and we’ve got a great captain, and the guys just need to stick together. There’s a nice phase for us, building towards the World Cup, and if I can be a part of that, then I will be happy to give my 110 percent.”

Meanwhile, Bok coach Erasmus bemoaned the fact that his side bore the brunt of referee Glen Jackson’s whistle at the breakdown.

“It’s sad to say that we didn’t get up for this game because I really thought the way we trained this week… I will do some homework myself, and there must’ve been a few things I did wrong this week because we definitely didn’t pitch – I wouldn’t say we didn’t pitch for the game, but we didn’t pitch at that same level intensity-wise,” he said.

“We gave some stupid penalties away, which we normally don’t. I will do some homework myself there.

“We spoke about the breakdowns before the game and did a whole profile (on Jackson) – he’s a guy who gives by far the most penalties for tackler not releasing and sealing off. And we prepared for that, as he wants a nice, clean breakdown, and we spoke about that and we just didn’t adapt. I don’t think they were unfair penalties; he’s just like that at the breakdown.”

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