Springbok legend preparing for retirement after World Cup

After a legendary career that has seen Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen rack up 68 Test caps, it does seem quite probable that the 37-year-old will head into international retirement after the World Cup.

In the final Rugby Championship game against Argentina at Ellis Park last month, he captained the team in what he may have secretly known was his last game on South African soil in the green and gold colours of the Springboks.

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However, he will now be looking to potentially end his career on a high at the World Cup, although he admitted it wasn’t long ago that he really doubted whether he’d make the squad.

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VERMEULEN IS ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY REGARDED SPRINGBOK PLAYERS IN THE CURRENT WORLD CUP GROUP

“Well, there is the emotional side to it, and then obviously there’s the jersey and what it means – it means different things to every individual who played in it,” said Vermeulen when talking to SABC Sport.

“I actually had a good chat to a guy like Jasper Wiese, and Evan Roos – what I like, if I step out, hopefully they understand what the jersey meant for me, and hopefully the next guy – a youngster coming into the squad, can continue to pass it down.

“If you asked me in the beginning of the year, I would have said, ‘There’s no way that I would make this squad.’ And then, a couple of weeks ago when we started playing, I actually felt good and my body felt good, I was well rested,” he added.

“Ulster, where I played, really managed me well throughout the season. So, I kind of feel refreshed, young, and energised – even if it doesn’t say that on paper. But, ja, I’m in a good space, and I thought whatever happens, happens. I enjoyed my career, I had a good career, but it’s still not over yet.”

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