No 8 Duane Vermeulen returns to the starting XV for the Springboks with prop Frans Malherbe set to earn his 50th Test cap in the Rugby Championship clash with the All Blacks on Saturday.
Assistant coach Deon Davids has confirmed that fit-again Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen is in contention to face the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Springboks received a timely boost with the inclusion of Duane Vermeulen and Frans Steyn in a 41-man squad chosen for the Rugby Championship, but the injured Cheslin Kolbe is doubtful to recover in time to feature in the tournament.
No 8 Jasper Wiese is ready to cement his place in the Springbok lineup in the face of a rising challenge from Evan Roos and Elrigh Louw.
Jacques Nienaber has included eight uncapped players in a 48-man Springbok squad chosen for the July series against Wales, the Rugby Championship, and the November tour to Europe.
Should Saturday be Duane Vermeulen’s last club outing in South Africa, how fitting that it would be in Cape Town and in front of the biggest crowd to ever watch a rugby match at Cape Town Stadium. It would be the perfect salute to one of South Africa and Cape Town’s favourite rugby sons.
Duane Vermeulen says he could have stayed at the Vodacom Bulls, but chose to join Irish side Ulster rather than being “stuck in one place”.
An experienced Springbok lineup must have already beaten Wales twice before Jacques Nienaber will consider picking uncapped youngsters for the final Test of the July series.
Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen says he isn’t expecting a warm welcome when he thunders into the Stormers and Vodacom Bulls during Ulster’s tour of South Africa.
England coach Eddie Jones has questioned whether the Springbok veterans will be able to sustain their excellent form until the 2023 World Cup.