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Vodacom Bulls coach Jake White has praised the commitment of captain Duane Vermeulen, who he says is ‘on’ for Saturday’s clash against Western Province, writes CRAIG LEWIS.
The Bulls claimed the first Super Rugby Unlocked title last weekend, with Vermeulen playing a typically influential role as a leader and seasoned back row member.
As was the case last year, Vermeulen joined the Bulls after a campaign with the Kubota Spears in Japan, agreeing to join the Pretoria-based franchise despite his wife and two sons are in Cape Town.
Living in a hotel a short drive from Loftus Versfeld, Vermeulen’s commitment to the Bulls is something White reiterated should not be underestimated.
Let’s be fair and say he was the man of the match in the Rugby World Cup final, and now he’s not staying with his family; her family is in Cape Town, her children obviously go to school there.
He does not get to see them as much as he would like, but he has come here, they have given him 100%, he lives in a hotel. It is here all the time, it does not fly up and down. What more can you ask for from a guy? He’s there, he’s up front, he plays 80 minutes every week. It may not be easy for him, and yet he knows that being the leader is important.
“He knows it’s important for him to show the team he’s on. We had some tough conversations with a lot of players about the fact that if you want to stay with the Bulls, you have to show that you are committed. And I can’t question that. No one can question that. I think the team sees how committed he is. I don’t mean it lightly when I tell you that you are really looking forward to this game. He’s been waiting a long time for this game. ‘
WATCH: Bulls Pregame Press Conference
For Vermeulen, this weekend presents an opportunity for him to return to the Cape, as he faces his old team, with the mighty No. 8 who represented WP and the Stormers between 2009 and 2015.
“This is the best thing he’s felt in a long time,” White said. He says he can’t wait to get to Newlands and play Western Province. He knows the terrain well and has an extra energy this week. I’m not sure why, he’s probably going home to see his family for a bit. He’s going to play in Newlands. He knows all those players, and he’s the best I’ve seen him and the liveliest I’ve seen him in a long time.
“He knows this is the big event in Newlands, and obviously there are a lot of Springboks that are playing this weekend and he wants to play well against them. There are a lot of additional incentives for it to actually perform. ”
GRAPHICS: Currie Cup Teams (Round 1)
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