SA Rugby pay tribute to ‘true legend of the sport’ Duane Vermeulen

South African Rugby president Mark Alexander has paid tribute to double Rugby World Cup-winning number eight Duane Vermeulen, who has announced his retirement.

The 37-year-old played the last of his 76 Tests in the World Cup Final win over the All Blacks in Paris last month.

He packed down in the number eight jersey on 68 occasions for the Boks, with a further five appearances off the bench and three at flank. He also captained the side on four occasions.

Springbok great

Alexander has hailed Vermeulen as a Springbok great and wished him well for his future.

“Duane will forever be regarded as one of the real hard men of South African rugby – he was not only a formidable force for the Springboks but also a multifaceted player who consistently delivered his best,” Alexander said.

“As someone who preferred to operate away from the limelight, Duane was one of those players who never settled for second best and always gave everything he had to his team.

“He was a leader who captained South Africa in four Tests, but he also retired as the most-capped Springbok number eight with two Rugby World Cup winners’ medals – a wonderful achievement for a player who will be remembered as a true legend of the sport.”

Vermeulen has been tipped for a bright coaching future, and Alexander adds that he still has plenty to offer the game after bringing his playing career to an end.

“Duane made a massive impression wherever he went, and looking at his achievements all over the world, it’s clear that he was not only a Springbok great, but a superb ambassador for South Africa,” added Alexander.

“I know Duane still has a lot to give back to our wonderful game, but as his playing career comes to an end, on behalf of the entire South African rugby family, I would like to thank Duane for his selfless service to his country and the Springboks, as well as his provincial unions.

“I would like to wish him, his wife, Ezel, and their two sons, Anru and Zian, the best for their future.”

Duane Vermeulen’s trophy haul

The powerhouse back-row had an illustrious playing career at club and international level.

At provincial level, he and former Springbok captain Theuns Stofberg are the only players who have won the Currie Cup with three different unions. He first lifted the coveted trophy with the Cheetahs in 2007 before doing so with Western Province in 2012 and the Blue Bulls in 2020.

Vermeulen also represented the Pumas, Stormers, Toulon, Kubota Spears and Ulster.

He had a late start to his international career after being denied a Test debut in 2010 through injury and had to wait until 2012, missing out on possible selection for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. This after representing his country playing for the Emerging Springboks against the British and Irish Lions in 2009.

He made his Test debut against Australia in 2012 at the age of 26 and enjoyed a stellar international career spanning 11 seasons.

Vermeulen was nominated for the World Rugby Player of the Year in 2014 and is one of five players to have won the SA Rugby Player of the Year Award on more than one occasion.

He captained the Springboks during their Rugby Championship success in 2019 and helped the side win the World Cup in the same year before going back-to-back four years later.

READ MORE: State of the Nation: Springboks create a lasting legacy with back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles