Springboks: Duane Vermeulen available for selection against the All Blacks
Duane Vermeulen of South Africa during the Third Test of the 2021 British and Irish Lions Rugby Tour between South Africa and BI Lions at Cape Town Stadium on 07 August 2021 ©Sports Inc
Springboks assistant coach Deon Davids has confirmed that veteran number eight Duane Vermeulen will be available for selection for this weekend’s clash against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
Vermeulen has fully recovered from knee surgery on an injury suffered at the end of the United Rugby Championship season that saw him ruled out for the entire Wales series.
The South Africans have gone to Leicester Tigers’ number eight Jasper Wiese in Vermeulen’s absence, and the Premiership champion has consistently performed, showing impressive work rate and ball carrying.
Return of an experienced leader
But the 36-year-old Vermeulen is vastly experienced in Test rugby and has captained the Springboks several times, making him a very valuable squad member.
“Duane is an experienced player. He is not only a good player on the field, but he is also a good person off the field,” said Davids.
“A big part of the team is about good leadership and expanding that leadership and having a collective approach in what we do and Duane’s knowledge and experience mean a lot for the team.
“Knowing that you can still fall back on someone of his calibre is fantastic for the team.”
Electric wing Kurt-Lee Arendse and livewire Faf de Klerk both sustained heavy knocks to the head and will both be ruled out with concussion.
Arendse, however, is also suspended for four weeks for a dangerous challenge on All Black Beauden Barrett that ultimately saw the wing stretchered off the field.
Canan Moodie gets his first call-up
Young Bulls outside back Canan Moodie has been called up to the Springboks squad as cover after the news of Arendse’s suspension.
Moodie was brilliant for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship and is certainly a prospect for the future.
“Canan is one of the exciting young backline prospects in the country as he showed in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this year,” said Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber.
“His consistently superb performances earned him a place in the final against eventual champions, the DHL Stormers, and this, combined with his Junior Springbok experience in the 2021 Under-20 International Series, will set him in good stead as he enters the Springbok environment.
“Canan was due for a second stint with the Junior Boks this year but unfortunately missed out because of injury. He has a high work ethic, and he’s a skilful player, so we are excited to see what he brings to squad.”