Vermeulen ready to tackle World Cup

THERE was never a shadow of doubt in Duane Vermeulen’s mind that he would make the World Cup squad.

A neck injury ahead of the Stormers’ Super Rugby playoff against the Brumbies in June threatened the No8’s participation at the international event in England, starting in two weeks time.

There was a dark cloud of doubt whether the man nicknamed Thor, given the nature of injury which was deemed career-threatening, would be able to part in any rugby action this year.

But, if anything, he was eager and motivated to take part in the first World Cup of his career.

“I never quit,” Vermeulen said on whether he at any stage thought his World Cup dream had been shattered.

“There was a stage where I felt this was all going south and that is not the way you really want it to go,” he said.

“But I got a bit of confidence from the surgeon and here I am in the 31-man squad and looking forward to my first World Cup.”

He admits it was not an easy period while nursing the injury.

“I was in a difficult position, but I think with all the guys who surrounded me and the energy of the squad I pulled through,” he said.

“Some days you do feel you might not be there, but now I’m very happy that I’m in the squad. I’m just glad and excited about my first World Cup. You never know about the next one ... whether you’ll be there.”

Vermeulen began contact training with his teammates this week at their camp in Johannesburg ahead of the team’s departure for the United Kingdom late on Friday.

The eighthman is expected to be ready for action for the Boks’ opening match of the tournament against Japan on September 19.

Heyneke Meyer’s bulldozer is raring to go and bash into opposition bodies. “I’m fit and ready to go,” he said. “I’ve started making contact, but just taking it a little bit easy when it comes to the breakdown action. Everything will probably fall into place from this week.”

Vermeulen has an unlikely individual to thank for strengthening his neck – his son.

The player has also managed to shed a few kilos while undergoing rehabilitation, which he is extremely pleased with.

“I’m not a big head-banger, but I’ve got a little boy who loves hitting me on the head, so I got a lot of practice at home. We do everything we can with the rehabilitation.

“I feel good for now. I’ve lost a bit of skin folds. All in all, I’m back to my regular weight that I love to play in. I’m where I feel comfortable to play 80 minutes.”

Despite some disapproval regarding the final squad Meyer selected for the tournament, Vermeulen remains confident that his fellow teammates will represent SA with pride.

“There’s not a lot of stuff that bothers me, and we all support each other.

“We also think that the whole South Africa backs us,” Vermeulen said.

“Yes, there are some more experienced and older guys, but come match-day against Japan everyone will be available and ready to go.”

‘ Here I am in the 31-man squad and looking forward to my first World Cup