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- The recent Covid troubles of local rugby have once again highlighted the sacrifices players must make to maintain the national program.
- No player exemplifies those sacrifices better than Bulls patron Duane Vermeulen, who has been living in the hotel next door to Loftus and not traveling from Cape, all in the name of serving his team.
- This weekend’s trip to Newlands is an opportunity for him to catch up with his family, but he has also built a fire to perform at his old home.
Local rugby’s recent rise in Covid-19 infections has led SA Rugby to once again re-emphasize health and safety protocols in unions.
Some coaches, notably Western Province mentor John Dobson, have also continually pleaded with their players to make certain sacrifices in the name of maintaining the national program.
And if that’s not enough of a push, everyone can be inspired by one of the men who has made greater sacrifices than the rest: Duane Vermeulen.
Jake White, the Bulls’ director of rugby, once again praised his veteran Springbok’s influence on his burgeoning team, noting how Vermeulen has just got down to business and stick with his responsibilities.
“It goes without saying how important he has been to us,” White said.
“Duane has played 80 minutes a game the entire time. He doesn’t stay with his family, who are on the Cape. His kids obviously go to school, so he can’t see them as much as he would like.
“He has come here, he has been given 100%, he lives in the hotel (next to Loftus). He is here all the time, he does not fly up and down. What more could you ask for from a boy? He is there, he is front up. “
Equipment:
Western Province
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Substitutes (from): 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Kwenzo Blose, 19 Neethling Fouche, 20 David Meihuizen, 21 Chris van Zyl, 22 Jaco Coetzee, 23 Marcel Theunissen, 24 Godlen Masimla, 25 Tim Swiel, 26 Ruhan Nel
Blue bulls
15 David Kriel, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje , 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Substitutes: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Clinton Swart, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren
It’s that inspiring attitude that made Vermeulen such an obvious choice to become a Bulls patron.
“He knows it’s important that I show him 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’re committed.”
“And I can’t question that. No one can question that. I think the team sees how committed he is,” White said.
As a “reward” for his efforts, the 34-year-old will be able to catch up with his family this weekend before the spicy Currie Cup clash with Western Province in Newlands.
However, that happy prospect also means that he’s excited to perform in a field he knows so well.
“It’s the best he’s felt in a long time. He says he can’t wait to get to Newlands and play Western Province. He knows the terrain well and has extra energy this week,” White said.
“I’m not sure why, he’s probably going home to see his family for a bit. He’s going to play at Newlands. He knows all those players, and he’s the best I’ve ever seen and the liveliest I’ve ever had.” I’ve seen it 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 him to really do well.”
The start in Newlands is at 19:00.
