Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that Duane Vermeulen will play a limited role in this year’s Rugby Championship as he intends to function without him in certain games.
Vermeulen was one of the best Boks on the park against England in the first test, a sight I am sure most supporters welcomed, but Erasmus wants to see how the Boks fair without the strong eighthman. He mentioned that players like Warren Whiteley, Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, Lizo Gqoboka and Coenie Oosthuizen will be available again later in the year, and everybody will get a chance.
It may be a case of cotton-wooling of the big man, but if he can play like he did last weekend, at the World Cup later next year, then it is a project I support.
Rassie also confirmed that both Faf de Klerk and Willie le Roux would be available for the Rugby Championship kicking off later in the year.
Tweet
Keeping him in cotton balls also might prevent him from getting better and finding his flow with this team? On the other hand it gives other loosies a chance.
Take that sports lovers, France U20s beat New Zealand 16 – 7. This French team continues to impress. I really hope they go on to win the cup against England. SA vs NZ for the bronze.
what happened to marcel? I thought he would get called up…
@Poisy (Comment 3) : Injured.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 2) : Allez allez. Vive la France
@coolfusion (Comment 1) : Has he left Toulon now? If so, where will he be playing his rugby?
@Poisy (Comment 3) : Probably still injured – what is it…a year now?
@StevieS (Comment 6) : think he’s going back to wp again.
@JD (Comment 8) : Do they have the money to afford him with all of their financial woes?
Seems like PSDT will take over at 7 from JLDP this weekend
@Bokhoring (Comment 10) : Yeh i figured he would. Think JLDP will play off the bench instead of Notshe with Orie coming onto the bench perhaps.
@Bokhoring (Comment 5) : Im really enjoying this French side. They took the game to New Zealand and at times made them look very ordinary – dominating in all facets of the game.They look really well coached.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 12) : I only saw the highlights of that game. Have not seen any New Zealand pack bullied like that for a long time.
@Bokhoring (Comment 13) : New Zealand went through a purple patch from about the 70 – 77th minute when they made it into the French 22 for the first time and scored and then nearly repeated that again a few minute later, other than that the score really flatters NZ.
@StevieS (Comment 6) : I don’t know if it’s confirmed yet but I read something about him playing for a local union in SA quite possibly stormers. Also read that they are talking with Vincent Koch and a possible move to Bulls but that was marked as speculative. I haven’t checked into it. You can only believe it when it happens.
@coolfusion (Comment 15) : Koch extended his contact with Saracens recently. Duane I recall talk of him coming back to S.A., but no new news.
I’m hoping Rassie can entice someone like Os to come in and train our props. He seems to be a master negotiator with a lot of influence in the rugby world internationally. High time established a national school for specialist positions.
@coolfusion (Comment 17) : That school can fill an important advisory role to future coaches.
@coolfusion (Comment 18) : I reckon we have a decent amount of feedback from experienced guys now at national level but because of the player drain at provincial level these coaching clinics are a good idea. I read an interview where beast discussed how ballie swart taught him the technique when they moved him from flank to prop and while beast is around the your looseheads are getting advice from on of the best ever but contrast that to our locks(at Natal) for example where they all about 25 it would be great to have them spend some time with a Johann Muller for a clinic
Any chance we’ll see Andre play this week? I think he’s in such good form it would be a waste if they don’t give him an opportunity at the very least.
@Quintin (Comment 20) : I think we will(based upon no inside knowledge) then De Allende and kriel next week
@Byron Wright (Comment 21) : Yeah I’ve seen Rassie and Proudfoot say in a couple of press conferences that they will change a few things up to give everyone a chance and to build squad depth. Those are nice things to hear as supporters but I hope they stick to it.
when lost did the boks win n cup or n tournament cant remember . all you hear on media is eddie jones under presur . when the boks win thy have lots to say whn thy lose you hear thy are building
@Justin Koelman (Comment 23) : If Eng are that good and the Boks not, then they shouldn’t be losing to them now should they.
No wonder the pressure is on Eddie. He’s losing games he shouldn’t.
Plus the Boks are busy building their team.
@Justin Koelman (Comment 23) : Well I would call a new coach and almost every position trying out debutants and or other players, rebuilding. Probably the MOST direct / concrete evidence of a rebuild you can get. Besides, whether you are a on a rebuild or not a lose is still a lose. Points and trophy wise. So what’s the gripe?
So Shields in, Robshaw out.
Must surely grate some English fans.
If Rassie’s Boks loose two games in a row SA fans will be all over him anyway
@McLovin (Comment 26) : And players paying their dues in the premiership.
@McLovin (Comment 28) : And those playing in French/foreign leagues who can’t be picked.
@McLovin (Comment 24) : Yup some unexplained losses long before the books game. Ireland, France… Now a somewhat inexperienced bok side. He will be under pressure. Euro bodies are not as over tolerant as SARU.
@McLovin (Comment 26) : Robshaw is not even on the bench. That pack already looks a bit stronger though.
@coolfusion (Comment 30) : Eddie has a lot of explaining to do.
@Bokhoring (Comment 31) : Can’t be worse than last week. Backline still the same. Wonder where they’re going to hide fairy ford.
Plus cipriani on the bench. Not exactly known for his defence either.
Boks more or less the same I see.
@McLovin (Comment 33) : Would have liked esterhuizen in the side but he will get his chance next week if we win. Hopefully ford is still there for him to target.
england win thia weekend n next . even thou thy are wthout most of the players . watson. nowel .lawis. kruise .underhill .care . manu . cole . and more others
@Byron Wright (Comment 35) : Think so. Both De Allend & Esterhuizen same to me currently. Happy with either.
Boks going with only 1 flyhalf and 1 goal kicker…brave i think, clearly going to try win scoring tries
@SheldonK (Comment 38) : Faf most likely reserve kicker.
@Byron Wright (Comment 39) : Eish…rather take the lineout
@Justin Koelman (Comment 36) : Dude, Boks are also without a host of players, so let’s not even go down this road. And no, Boks will wrap up another series tomorrow. Boks without Marx, Lood, Eben Etzebeth, Marcell Coetzee, Frans Steyn, Bismarck du Plessis, and many other