Vermeulen itching to be unleashed on the Brave Blossoms
SPARE a thought for little Japan, who don’t boast the biggest men in rugby. Duane Vermeulen, pic
tured, is set to make his return to the Springbok jumper next weekend and he’s itching to crash into some bodies.
The 29-year-old Bok No 8 has missed all his team’s Tests this season because of a neck injury but is expected to be back in the green and gold when Heyneke Meyer’s men open their World Cup challenge against Japan in Brighton next Saturday.
If matters go as well as Vermeulen is hoping they will, there could be quite a few sore, battered and bruised Brave Blossoms players after the contest.
“I can’t wait to get on the pitch and play a game. I just wish I could run into a guy at training ... hopefully, I’ll start making contact later this week,” said Vermeulen ahead of the Boks’ team’s departure on Friday.
“The good thing is it’s Japan first up and not a team like Samoa, who tackle ‘up here’,” he said, moving his hand across his shoulders.
“At least the Japanese players go low in the tackle so, in a sense, it’s a good game to make my comeback.”
Vermeulen, the big and powerful ball-carrying basher in the Bok squad and a man who in 2013 and 2014 was undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, underwent a neck operation at the beginning of June after scans on his neck revealed he had a bulging disc at the C5 level.
It was initially feared the Western Province man’s World Cup participation was in doubt, but an intense rehabilitation programme was worked out for the 118kg giant and he says he’s once again ready to rock.
It wasn’t, however, a comeback without worries.
“There was a stage when it felt as if things were going south, and not the direction where you want things to go.
“It was a difficult situation to be in.
“There were some days when I thought I wouldn’t be ready, but I’ve never been a quitter.
“The energy of the squad though helped a lot in motivating me. I’m a big team guy and enjoy being part of a squad ... it’s what I like and the reason why I play a team sport. Otherwise, I may as well have played chess.”
Vermeulen has done plenty of gym work in his time away from the field and looks leaner and meaner than before.
“I dropped a few skin folds, so the weight is a little down, but it’s a weight where I feel comfortable I can play for 80 minutes,” he says.
If Vermeulen’s neck holds up in the coming days he’s sure to play a lot more than just 80 minutes in England.
He’s a key man in Meyer’s squad and the player is hoping to make a big contribution in what will be his first taste of World Cup rugby.
“I’m really proud to be part of this 31-man squad. This is my first tournament and I just don’t know if I’ll be in the picture in four years’ time when it’s next held in Japan.
I just want to go out there are give it my best”.