Springbok No 7 jersey up for grabs
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee’s decision to drastically cut down on the number of overseas-based players in his national squad has been vindicated with the late arrival of loose forward Duane Vermeulen.
Vermeulen will only join the team next Tuesday in Pretoria and will therefore miss the entire week of preparation in Plettenberg Bay.
And because he will join only four days before the opening Test against France in Pretoria next weekend, his chances of featuring in the opening international will be minimal.
The last time the Boks met the French at Loftus Versfeld, current Bok captain Warren Whiteley, 29, wasn’t even born.
It will be the first Bok Test at Loftus against France in 37 years since Morne du Plessis’ side won 37-15 on November 8 in 1980, which capped a great year after they beat the British Lions 3-1 and twice against South America in home and away two-Test series.
Vermeulen was one of just four overseas players named in the original squad of 31 which has since risen to 32 with the call-up of Sharks flanker Jean-Luc du Preez.
More movement in the squad has seen centre Lionel Mapoe replacing Lukhanyo Am who has a fractured cheekbone.
But at least centre Frans Steyn will join up with the rest of the squad from Montpellier, while Vermeulen’s late arrival has been put down to him being in action for his French club Toulon in Sunday’s final of the French league.
While SA Rugby didn’t reveal when the other two overseas players, scrumhalf Francois Hougaard and prop Steven Kitshoff, will join up, the majority of the squad could at least continue with preparations ahead of the vital opening Test.
Now the question remains, who will wear the No 7 jersey next weekend? Du Preez, Siya Kolisi or Oupa Mohoje?