Eight years on, Duane is still SA’s dependable warrior

It seems that there has been a recurring narrative for the Springboks ahead of Johannesburg tests against the All Blacks over the past decade or so, with Duane Vermeulen’s readiness to play being the focus.

Vermeulen’s selection for Saturday’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship game against the Kiwis at Emirates Airlines Park was a surprise to many, but only in the sense that he has not played since Ulster lost their Vodacom United Rugby Championship semifinal against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town eight weeks ago.

It was understandable that many of the questions directed at the man many know as Thor for his warrior-like appearance and qualities at the team announcement press conference centred on his readiness to play after such a long lay-off.

Perhaps, or so the thinking goes, he could have been given an easier return to the playing field by playing off the bench.

But Vermeulen is used to having those questions asked, and indeed he came back into rugby after a lay-off in similar fashion in last year’s Championship, which was played in its entirety in Australia because of Covid.

THE DAY HIS WARRIOR STATUS WAS WRIT LARGE

It was at Ellis Park though that Vermeulen first made it abundantly clear that he is South African rugby’s Mr Dependable, a warrior who can overcome all obstacles and play through discomfort or pain if he has to.

It was here in Johannesburg that the Boks last beat the All Blacks in South Africa before they broke the drought in Nelspruit last weekend. It was flyhalf Handre Pollard’s breakthrough moment, with his try scoring in the first half stunning the All Blacks, and it was replacement pivot Patrick Lambie who kicked the decisive penalty from long range to win the game after the hooter.

But it was Vermeulen who walked away with the official man of the match award. There is nothing significant about that. Vermeulen has done that often, including in the 2019 World Cup final against England in Yokohama. What made it a special performance though was that Vermeulen had dominated the headlines throughout the build-up week.

“Will Vermeulen play or won’t he?” The question was being asked not just by South Africans, who understood his value to the team, but also by the All Blacks, who fear and respect him. They’d have seen an easier path to another win at altitude when it became known after the Bok win over the Wallabies in Cape Town the previous week that the powerfully built No 8 had injured his ribs.

A lesser player and a lesser man would not have made it to the Ellis Park kick-off. But Vermeulen is different, and he ended up turning in a barnstorming performance, playing with gusto and passion to bring the then world champions’ undefeated run of 22 matches to a halt with a nailbiting 27-25 win. That he beat Pollard, who was so brilliant in that game, to the man of the match award says everything about his contribution.

NOTHING HAS CHANGED

The then Bok coach Heyneke Meyer underlined Vermeulen’s value when he gave the player until the day of the game to prove his fitness. And current coach Jacques Nienaber has shown that nothing has changed by backing Vermeulen to contribute even though he would surely be carrying some rust after nearly two months sidelined after having a procedure to clean out his knee.

Back in 2014, the Boks didn’t have many No 8 options. Schalk Burger was slated to move from the flank to the back of the scrum had Vermeulen not made it. They do now, and they also won comfortably without him last week. So it speaks volumes that Nienaber has selected him. And Nienaber gives the impression he feels nothing has really changed since 2014 - Vermeulen is still that special player who can overcome the odds.

“Duane has played so many test matches and so many big games like these. You can’t prepare for a game like this except through previous experience and Duane brings a lot of that,” said Nienaber.

MENTALLY READY

For his part, Vermeulen is not making any brash statements. He backs up what his coach says about him by saying he will definitely be mentally ready, but he is leaving the physical side of it until the day. He knows that he has back-up on the bench, and while it will be tough for him to make his return at altitude and in what is likely to be such a fast-paced game, he will call time on his appearance in the game once he feels he is too puffed to make a contribution.

“I think mentally you are always switched on when it comes to international rugby, you have got to be switched on,” says Vermeulen.

“In my time away from the field I have been sitting with the coaches, and the other players, absorbing a lot of info every day. I have worked through lineout and starter moves with them. So mentally it is easy for me. On the physical thing, that is a case of wait and see. I haven’t played in six to eight weeks. There is also the altitude, which could make a difference.

“But this is a strong group of guys. We play with 23, not 15. I will give it my best and we have good replacements who are ready to come on and eager to make a contribution should it be necessary.”

MISSING NELSPRUIT WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT

For Vermeulen, the one disappointment is that his return to rugby has come one game too late for him to do something he was itching to do - play for the Boks against the All Blacks in Nelspruit. It was in the capital of the lowveld that Vermeulen was born 36 years ago. He was educated at Hoerskool Nelspruit.

He also made his senior provincial debut out of Nelspruit, playing for the Pumas as long ago as 2005. He left his home town in 2007, to take up a contract with the Cheetahs after being spotted by Rassie Erasmus. It was there that Vermeulen started his long working relationship with Erasmus and Nienaber, one that continued when he moved to the Stormers in 2009.

He’s travelled a long road since then, with stints at Toulon in France, Kubota Spears in Japan, the Bulls and now Ulster on his impressive rugby CV.

But he clearly hasn’t forgotten where he is from and where it all started. Being in Nelspruit and watching from the sidelines more than whetted his appetite to make his Bok return in Johannesburg.

“Jeez, I would have loved to have played in Nelspruit. I think most peope know I grew up there. The atmosphere in the Mbombela Stadium was something else. The anthems, the vibe beforehand, even the halftime show with Jimmy Stonehouse was impressive (the Pumas’ Currie Cup-winning coach sang during the interval).

“Playing games like that is always a special occasion. It starts with the anthems and then the haka. Everything. Seeing that really makes you want to get out on the field to play. Unfortunately it didn’t happen last week but I get the opportunity this week and hopefully it will go well.

“Luckily, it is not as if I am coming out of retirement. I am still very much in the game and committed to the game. I just haven’t played for a few weeks. We talked about the mental aspect. I am still 100 per cent in the game and want to give back to the game by showing the youngsters how to deal with the pressure and the shorter routes you can take on the field and how you can do things differently.”

EXPECTING HURT KIWIS TO COME HARD

Saturday’s game is set up very differently from the one that Vermeulen played against the All Blacks at the venue eight years ago. Back then, the Kiwis were riding the crest of a wave. They’d been unbeaten for a long time, and they were world champions. Now the pressure is on them after three successive defeats. That only makes them more dangerous, according to Vermeulen. And he’d know after being in Bok teams that have been in a similar position.

“I think it is the first time ever that New Zealand has been down to fifth in the world rankings, and that will sting. That is one more thing that will also push them to be at the next level on Saturday. It hurts when you are in that situation, but every team has ups and downs. But that shows you have a heartbeat. When you flat line you are dead. I’d rather have a heartbeat than have a flatline.

“They will throw everything they have at us on Saturday. Both teams will be ready for this game and we know we will have to be at our best to withstand what they bring.”

If Vermeulen is anywhere near his best, and the absence from the starting team of Malcolm Marx means he carries a particularly big responsibility in trying to slow down New Zealand ball at the breakdowns this week, South African supporters should have nothing to worry about.