Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Duane Vermeulen explains his revised role with the Springboks

By Jan De Koning
South Africa assistant coach Duane Vermeulen (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Duane Vermeulen has made the transition from the playing field to the coaching box rather smoothly. Barely two months after winning his second Rugby World Cup, having played the last of his 76 Tests, he took up the role of a mobi-unit coach in Cape Town.

ADVERTISEMENT

Speaking ahead of the second Test against Australia in Perth this coming Saturday, the 38-year-old described the transition from player to coach. “I am still part of the team,” he said, adding: “I know the players and I have worked with the coaches before.

“I really enjoy learning about different aspects. As a player, I always looked at the game a little differently. I always gave my two cents when needed. It is nice to contribute and hopefully I can keep on learning while I work with the players. The more you are in the mix, the quicker you learn. It has been a great journey and I enjoy every step of the way.”

Video Spacer

Wallaby assistant coach Geoff Parling on the innovations coming out of the Bok camp

The Wallabies will need to adapt more quickly to the Springboks’ trickery if they want to stay in the fight in Perth.

Video Spacer

Wallaby assistant coach Geoff Parling on the innovations coming out of the Bok camp

The Wallabies will need to adapt more quickly to the Springboks’ trickery if they want to stay in the fight in Perth.

Vermeulen said his role in the South African Rugby Union set-up has changed since his initial appointment. “I was listed as a mobi-unit coach,” he explained, adding: “I had the opportunity to work with the U20s team for about two weeks. Rassie (Erasmus) and the Springbok staff decided to pull me in – to be the link between the coaches and the players.”

He said being a waterboy involves a lot more than what the title suggests. “There is a lot of information that goes through those mics – communication from top to bottom and from the field up to the coaches. It is an easy link. I was on the field, not even a year ago. It is nice to be that link and I am enjoying that role. We will see where it takes me.”

Related

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

1 Comment
R
RugCs 37 days ago

I’m sure that he is also acting as mentor to the young no 8’s coming through.

H
Hellhound 36 days ago

Oh I'm sure you're dead on. What a player and his experience is immense. Good to have someone like him around. Very much respected

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 46 minutes ago
Why Rassie Erasmus should cull some Boks veterans for 2027

I think cull is the wrong word.


I think Rassie and the senior players will be pretty open and honest with each other about their prospects for another World Cup campaign. And, ironically, I don’t think Rassie is thinking as far ahead as 2027 in terms of who is going to go.


There are likely going to be injuries too where players one would assume will be at 2027 won’t feature. Think Marx and Am and 2023.


I think the priority is really having as many players as possible in contention for a spot on the 33 by the time squad selection comes around.


I made this point a while ago, but having double World Cup winners in the setup over the next 3 years is going to be golden for the boks. It’s like having a coach in each position.


Razor was criticized for having too many coaches in his team. Rassie has more than 15 player coaches at his disposal.


I think Siya is being teed up to play the same role Duane did at the 2023 RWC. Invitation to the coaching box this coming weekend included.


I think many of the old guard are playing a role in the team that certainly does not guarantee them a 2027 place but doesn’t hurt their chances at being selected - but they will have to be the no.1 or no. 2 best in that position to be selected at that time. There won’t be any dead weight - whether old or young.


In my mind the strategy would be quite simple. Take everyone who will be over 32 by 2027 and pencil their names in right now in slot number three for their relative position. We know what they can do and they know what they need to do to be in contention for 2027.


Then ask yourself who do we have to take position no.1 and no. 2. Tried and tested or not. Find them and trial them over the next 3 years. Their job is to keep the old guys out. And the old guys job is to help them do just that.


That’s what Rassie has to do and has started well trying 48 players and 11 debutants in year one as the article mentioned (and winning).


I reckon there’ll be another 5-10 new players tried by the end of this year, particularly in November.


2024 ✅

1 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Why Rassie Erasmus should cull some Boks veterans for 2027 Why Rassie Erasmus should cull some Boks veterans for 2027
Search