Bulls captain Duane Vermeulen has a good chance of being ready to play for the Springboks in the third and decisive Test against the British and Irish Lions this coming Saturday, after he was officially called up to the Springbok camp.

Experienced Number 8 joined the Springbok team at their Cape Town base on Sunday after missing the opening two Tests against the British & Irish Lions due to an ankle injury.

Vermeulen, who reported for duty briefly at the team’s training camp in Bloemfontein in June, has been undergoing rehabilitation following surgery several weeks ago.

However, his steady progress proved to be sufficient for Vermeulen to be called up to the squad that drew the Castle Lager Lions Series one-all with a convincing 27-9 victory on Saturday.

“Duane will join us on Sunday and will be medically assessed as soon as possible. We will never risk a player who is not 100% fit but he brings experience to the squad and it will be great to have him with us,” said Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber in a statement late Saturday night.

If Vermeulen is declared fit to play, his inclusion in the Springbok team for the third Test could add huge value, especially since flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit is expected to miss the third Test due to injury.

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