Ulster's message to Boks on a Duane Vermeulen RWC return

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland believes Duane Vermeulen can still be a vital cog in the Springboks’ squad when the World Cup comes around later this year.

McFarland was speaking after his team’s 31-24 bonus-point win against the Sharks in a rescheduled United Rugby Championship Round Six clash in Durban on Saturday.

Vermeulen, who was not part of the Springboks’ tour squad in November, was Ulster’s captain on Saturday and the veteran No.8 played a massive role in the Irish side’s powerful driving mauls against the Sharks.

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He was also a menace at the breakdowns and he gave the Sharks a few headaches with his strong carries.

When asked by the Belfast Telegraph if Vermeulen is still good enough to contribute to the Boks’ World Cup cause, McFarland said: “Of course he is.”

The Ulster boss added: “This is a guy that not long ago made two massive plays in a game against the All Blacks.

“That’s what Duane does. He’s the best mauler in the world and when you need a play, Duane makes plays.

“He might not be all-singing, all-dancing, making 16 carries a game but, man, the influence he has on games.

“He makes game-changing moments. At the level South Africa will be playing at the World Cup, you need that kind of player.”

McFarland said Vermeulen’s knowledge of the South African game played a big role in the captaincy decision for the match against the Sharks.

“We asked him to be captain today [Saturday]. Alan O’Connor captains our team on a regular basis,” said McFarland.

“I chatted with Duane, I chatted with Al, and the fact that we were coming to a part of the world that Duane is from and the influence that he has on the players around him and his understanding of South African rugby, it was a great opportunity to use that experience in the role of captain.

“Al does what Al does every week as captain anyway. Having Duane lead us out, he probably puts the fear of god into South Africans.”