Great Duane Vermeulen has opened up about a conflict with Springbok coaches who thought his Rugby World Cup chances could be over.
The 37-year-old became a double champion at the 2023 Rugby World Cup after the Boks defeated the All Blacks 12-11 to claim their fourth title.
Vermeulen was an experienced back-rower at the world championships, starting every knockout match, including playing 57 minutes in the final.
Retirement and new job
The match against New Zealand was his last professional game after he retired to take up a higher position within SA Rugby.
Interestingly, the former number eight will now work alongside Rassie Erasmus in a “role of traveling coach for all SA Rugby national teams”, but it could have been very different.
According to Vermeulen, he thought he would be at a disadvantage in the World Cup year after clashing with both Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber.
But that wasn't the case. After missing the 2022 November series, he was recalled for the 2023 Rugby Championship and officially headed to France for the world tournament.
Quiz: What is the name of the Rugby World Cup final match between Springboks and All Blacks on round 23?
While working on a new documentary, chasing the sun 2Vermeulen revealed the conflict between himself and the coaching staff.
“At the camp in Durban, Rassie called me and the whole management was sitting there. It was before the World Cup squad was announced,” he said.
“The year before that, me, Lassie and Jack got into a big fight. It was a difficult time for me.
“I thought maybe there were still some sour grapes left so it wouldn’t be picked.”
record breaking title
However, it was all resolved and a harmonious Springbok team ended up lifting the Webb Ellis Cup for a record fourth time.
They are also the second team to win back-to-back titles, following the All Blacks in 2011 and 2015, and will aim for an unprecedented three-peat in Australia in 2027.
Although Vermeulen will not feature, there is a good chance he will play an important role as a coach once he takes over within SA Rugby.
Erasmus, who stepped down as head coach after the 2019 World Cup and returned as the team's head coach, clearly values the rugby intelligence his former back-row brings.
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