Duane Vermeulen. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Since making his return to the Springboks on last year’s European tour, speculation has been rife over Duane Vermeulen’s return to South Africa.
Given his close association with new Saru director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, it’s not really surprising that reports of this nature are emerging.
On Monday, the French daily L’Equipe again wrote that the 31-year-old loose forward will not renew his contract with Toulon and instead take up a national contract with the Boks and Stormers.
Here are five reasons why Vermeulen’s homecoming would be good for South African rugby.
He provides a scarce, specialised skill in local rugby
You didn’t need to look far for evidence that there’s a shortage of quality No 8s in South Africa last year.
After regular Bok skipper Warren Whiteley was injured, national coach Allister Coetzee spent most of the season picking blindside flankers out of position – Uzair Cassiem, Jean-Luc du Preez and Francois Louw.
That spoke volumes of the dearth of top-class eighthmen in the country.
Vermeulen has played most of his 39 Tests in the No 8 jersey, was South Africa’s player-of-the-year in 2014 and alleviates that skills shortage.
He provides leadership
The calming influence Vermeulen had in Europe once he was recalled was noticeable.
As a result, he was almost immediately touted for the Springbok captaincy by some observers, especially given the expectation that Coetzee would be fired soon and lead to changes.
It would be a big call to hand him the captain’s armband as it would be considered unfair on Whiteley.
However, both would be able to be accommodated in the same team if Vermeulen is thought to be a good fit at No 7 with Whiteley staying in his favoured position at No 8.
He’s certainly still good enough to play there.
He keeps the local system competitive
South African rugby can’t really stop the player exodus overseas due to simple economics.
It has no control over exchange rates.
But Saru can spend its limited funds on world-class players in positions that need strengthening and Vermeulen is a viable target.
With so many quality players leaving the system, South Africa needs Vermeulen and others to provide some form of competition for rookies to at least try and grow.
He provides a “vote of confidence” in South African rugby
This is more of a symbolic thing than anything else.
For a player like Vermeulen to take a pay-cut – it’s unlikely Saru and the Stormers can offer him his Toulon salary – is actually a big statement.
It broadcasts the message that it might still be worth plying one’s trade locally than chasing riches overseas.
Granted, it’s hardly a foolproof argument but the compromised state of the local game makes such a gesture valid.
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