Duane’s world revolves around playing for SA
BOK No 8 Duane Vermeulen operates in high-impact channels and has to take the rough with the smooth.
He is over-familiar with the rough and has thankfully hit a patch of smooth unbroken service since the start of the Rugby Championship.
The Boks have benefited no end from his presence and, by yesterday, had won 12 of their most recent 14 tests with Vermeulen in partnership with fellow backrowers Francois Louw and Willem Alberts.
All of them operate on the edge with Vermeulen perhaps providing a hybrid of his backrow partners’ skills set.
“I think it has been a good season,” he said on the eve of the Boks’ last test of the year, against France last night. “We had two difficult games against New Zealand. There were some highs and there is some stuff we can take out of the season. We just need to build on that.”
The introduction of breakdown expert Richie Gray to the Springbok coaching staff has had a undoubted impact.
“Richie has made an improvement to our breakdowns,” said Vermeulen. “He has helped with some techniques. Getting there quickly, getting off the deck and on your feet as quick as possible. It’s small stuff but it has made a massive improvement to our breakdown.”
Vermeulen did miss the inbound tests at the start of the international season but returned for the Rugby Championship, taking over from Pierre Spies who has been forced to the sidelines due to injury.
“You don’t know when your next injury is coming,” said Vermeulen. “At the moment I am just enjoying my game. Luckily no injuries.
“You just have to keep going because you don’t know which game will be your last.”
Orthopaedic terror has brought about this philosophical disposition. He had a neck injury followed by knee injuries three years in a row.
“I so badly wanted to become a Springbok, that is the thing that inspires me most. You want to be here. When you are out injured and not in this team you miss a lot and it is always great to be a part of this team.
“It is difficult to get yourself ‘up’ every weekend but that changes from person to person. This is what I wanted in my life.”