Springbok legend wants to go out on a high at Rugby World Cup in France
Duane Vermeulen has revealed that his goal is to finish his career at the top by helping South Africa to win back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles in France later in 2023.
The legendary Springbok number eight is in the twilight of his career and with rivals like Jasper Wiese and Evan Roos catching the eye with impressive performances, Vermeulen knows it will be a tough ask to make the current world champions’ 33-man squad for the global showpiece which kicks off in September.
Determined to play at the World Cup
He is eager to achieve that goal, however, and is determined to be on the plane to France with the Boks.
“I’m focused on this Rugby World Cup,” he told BokSquad. “If I play, I’ll give it my everything. If I carry a bag or I’m on the bench, I’ll give it my everything. If I’m on the sidelines helping younger players or working like a coach, I’ll give it my everything. I would love to be a part of it and end my career on a proper high.
“Winning the Rugby World Cup is the pinnacle of a player’s career. If I could be part of that again and defend that title with this team, that would be incredible.
“But I’d also like the opportunity to sign off on my own terms. There are a lot of players that don’t get to sign off on their own terms.”
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Vermeulen will be 37 by the time the Boks kick off their Rugby World Cup campaign against Scotland in Marseille on September 10 and despite his advancing age, he is still capable of delivering the goods at Test level.
He admitted that it’s important for him to say goodbye to rugby in a fitting manner when he retires.
“For me, I’d like to say farewell to the game in my own significant way,” he added. “I want to pay homage to the game which has given me so much in my life, and this would be a good way for me to say thank you to rugby.
“If I’m not selected, it will be tough. But I know that at the end of this year I’m done, and I’ve got a few months to give it my everything, and I won’t hold back. I’m going to push as hard as I can. There is still some fight in me, and I won’t take it easy on the guys challenging in my position.”
Joined local club in Cape Town
To make sure he is eligible for Rugby World Cup selection Vermeulen even joined the Cape Town-based Durbell RFC which competes in Western Province Rugby’s local club competition.
“I believe you need to be affiliated with a club to play in the Rugby World Cup, and I’ve asked the Springbok management if I could be affiliated with Durbell, the rugby club that is a block away from my home,” he said.
“I was offered an extension on my contract with Ulster, but I had a good chat with my wife and said I can only play rugby for so long.
“There comes a stage in your life when you need to take a step back. I’ve got two boys growing up and I’ve missed out on a lot of family things. So I wanted to come home and be with my family.”