Vermeulen up for selection for Johannesburg showdown

Duane Vermeulen is back in the frame for selection for the Springboks this weekend, but the Boks need to find replacements for both Kurt-Lee Arendse and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk.

Arendse was banned for four weeks for his red card in the aerial clash that also injured him. De Klerk was knocked out cold in a clash with All Black winger Caleb Clarke after just 40 seconds of the game.

Both players have to follow World Rugby’s Head Injury Assessment return to play protocols and while Arendse is banned, De Klerk is not available for selection for this weekend’s match.

Assistant coach Deon Davids announced that Vermeulen had been cleared for selection after rejoining the side two weeks ago after a knee operation and would be considered for selection for the All Black game at Ellis Park on Saturday.

“Duane is up for selection,” Davids declared, “So he will come into contention for this week. Faf and Kurt-Lee both suffered a concussion and they are following the World Rugby protocol in terms of that.”

Davids was very happy that Vermeulen was back in action, and it is likely he will replace Jasper Wiese for the game.

“Duane is a quality player and a quality person off the field. His inputs and experience mean a lot for the team. To know that, in such intense games, you can use a guy of his experience means a lot,” Davids said.

“It will be good to see a player of his quality back in action, and if it is against the All Blacks this weekend it will be so much better in terms of our journey forward. But we will have to wait and see if he is selected.

“His experience in different areas on the field means the world to the team and a big part of this team is built around leadership and experience of that leadership. His knowledge and experience means a lot. Knowing you can fall back on him - a player of his calibre, means a lot.”

Jaden Hendrikse is likely to continue in the role he had to fall into when De Klerk went down in the game, and fulfilled well for the 79 minutes he was on the field, while the decision over a replacement for Arendse is a bit more nuanced.

While the Boks can bring back veteran Willie le Roux, and move Damian Willemse to wing, they also have the option of bringing in either Jesse Kriel, who played against the All Blacks during the win in Wellington in 2018, or Warrick Gelant, the other utility back in the team.

The team will be announced on Tuesday for the clash.