'The thing is you cannot replace Duane because you just can't'
Schalk Brits believes the return of the “phenomenal” Duane Vermeulen can deliver a third test win and a 2-1 series triumph over the British and Irish Lions in Cape Town on Saturday.
Vermeulen and Brits helped South Africa win the Rugby World Cup in Japan where the No8 was a key weapon in the forward battle that saw England beaten 32-12 in the final. Now, having missed the first two tests which the teams shared, Vermeulen has recovered sufficiently from ankle surgery to be added to the Springbok squad for the titanic decider.
The 54-cap back-rower joined the Springboks camp in June only to suffer the injury, and has been undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a bid to be fit to face the Lions.
Brits gave RugbyPass an insight into the impact his former World Cup roommate (“he was until he started snoring”) can have on the vital third test saying: “The thing is you cannot replace Duane because you just can’t. There are certain players like that and Duane is one of them and I believe he is in the prime of his career.
“He brings a phenomenal presence and captaincy to the team because his leadership has a big role in the Springbok group and then there is his physicality which is exceptional. Also, when things are going south in a game, it means there is another guy next to Siya (Kolisi) that players can look at.
“The third test is going to be about the gain line and who can dominate an that is where Duane has a big part to play because he can win the gain line and also put in the big tackles as we saw in the World Cup final against England in 2019. He puts his head in there.
“Duane’s value to the team is clearly seen when he isn’t there and things are not going so well. He brings it to every game and I don’t think there was someone putting their hand up like Duane to take the high balls in this series.
“Peter Steph du Toit is a phenomenal rugby player and it is unfortunate he is injured and going forward how do you get the right combination? In the first test our pack did not dominate and then it becomes hard for the back row but in the second test the replacements made a massive difference and the use of the bomb squad was the way we normally did it (in the World Cup). Getting Lood de Jager and Duane into the mix means the Boks will have four line-out jumpers for the final test and that makes it so difficult for the Lions to compete against us.”
Having lost the physical battle and the first test to the Lions, Brits was delighted to see his former teammates rediscover their fight to come out clear winners in the second test with the second half replacements playing a major role in setting up the deciding match.
Brits added: “The guys were very motivated after being thumped in the second half of the first test and then we saw a complete role reversal in the second test last Saturday. I don’t think that tactically anything is going to change and both teams have the same kind of game plan and once again it will be who can dominate the set-piece and the kicking game.
“The culture of the Boks group is amazing with their never say die attitude and from that perspective, it will be an amazing final test. In terms of the talk about the referees, there was a cat and mouse before the two tests and I don’t think that will change for the last one and it is vital to manage the referee not take the attitude that he isn’t there. For the last ten years the New Zealanders have managed the referee better than any other team.
“It will be important to start on the right side of the French referee on Saturday and stay there! Of course I am going for a Springbok win and once again it is question of can the Lions match our physicality when we are on song. If you want to beat anyone you have to front up and get stuck in which is why I was so surprised in the first test when Cheslin Kolbe was man-handled by Mako Vunipola and none of the Boks went in. In the second test they corrected that.
“There was a lot of niggle last Saturday and it will be the same in this final test.”
LIONS ROUND-UP: Gatland's side must regroup fast after a humbling loss in the second Test. #LionsRugby @thefamousgrousehttps://t.co/B5FJMyh9Rt
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 2, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
“Firing me” should have been Gatland’s answer.
2 Go to commentsFinn Russell logic: “World” = 4 countries. Ireland may be at or near the top. FR’s bigger concern should be he and his fellow Scots (incl. the Bloemfontein ones) sliding back down to below top 10
42 Go to commentsMind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
3 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
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