Vermeulen adds extra edge
WHILE the Cheetahs have tremendous speed throughout their team, can they tackle Duane Vermeulen?
That will be one of their main challenges when they host the Bulls in tonight’s Super Rugby Unlocked clash in Bloemfontein ( 7pm kick- off). Vermeulen missed last week’s 30- 23 win over Griquas, but has recovered sufficiently from a bump to the knee to captain the Bulls at the Free State Stadium.
He will bring much- needed leadership and direction to a Bulls pack that perhaps underestimated an unheralded Griquas outfit, and were caught out a few times by the fiery approach from the Kimberley- based team. And Vermeulen knows what’s coming, having played a few seasons for the Cheetahs before moving to the Stormers in 2007.
“I played two years for the Cheetahs, and it was a fantastic time in my career. But I have come up against them in the past, so I am kind of used to playing against them. I know that they will be really pumped up to play the Bulls. “Griquas came out with a massive bang and put us on the back foot. But there was a lot of character shown by the players to pull the win out of the hat at the end. We’ve got a plan on how we want to play the Cheetahs, and obviously you have to execute that plan. This past Saturday, we didn’t really execute the plan to perfection, and then you are going to see yourself behind your posts.”
Indeed. The Cheetahs scored eight thrilling tries in their 53- 31 win over the Pumas, with backs and forwards combining for some exhilarating passages of attacking play. But Jake White’s Bulls will look to engage in a bit of an arm- wrestle upfront, in order to deny the hosts momentum and front- foot ball for the backs. One sure way of doing that is by making greater use of the maul, something that they were unable to capitalise on against Griquas, who were able to stop a few early drives from the line- outs.
Vermeulen said “When you get an opportunity to maul, then you’ve got to take it. Against Griquas, there were a couple of early mauls, but we couldn’t execute and couldn’t get points on the board – not even a penalty,” the 34- year- old said. “We worked on it a bit, because it’s a growing thing every week and you have to adapt on the field as it’s different teams that you play. I’ve played with ( Cheetahs forwards coach) Corniel van Zyl and I know the way that he looks at the mauls and stuff, so it’s going to be a difficult one for us, but looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead.”