Boks provide big update on Duane ahead of second All Blacks clash
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids revealed that star No.8 Duane Vermeulen is in contention for selection for their Round Two Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks in Johannesburg.
Vermeulen missed the three-Test series against Wales and the Rugby Championship opener against New Zealand in Nelspruit after he had knee surgery in mid-June after his United Rugby Championship campaign with Ulster.
"Duane is an experienced player. He is not only a good player on the field, but he is also a good person off the field.
"A big part of the team is about good leadership and expanding that leadership and having a collective approach in what we do and Duane's knowledge and experience mean a lot for the team.
"Knowing that you can still fall back on someone of his calibre is fantastic for the team."
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Meanwhile, scrumhalf Faf de Klerk is a doubt for the Ellis Park clash as he is currently following World Rugby's return-to-play protocols.
De Klerk was knocked unconscious when his head collided with All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke's knee just 43 seconds into South Africa's 26-10 win over NZ at Mbombela Stadium.
Utulity back Kurt-Lee Arendse is following the same protocols, but he has already been suspended for four matches after his red card for a misjudged aerial challenge on Beauden Barrett late in that match.
Before it was later revealed that Canan Moodie will be joining the squad, Davids said that they will not bring in cover for those two backline players.
"Currently, the focus would be on the players that are here in the squad," Davids explained.
"Obviously at No.9 you got a guy like Herschel [Jantjies] who has been there, and you also got Grant Williams and Cobus [Reinach] returning.
"Those are all possibilities and then obviously on the wing you have utility players like Warrick Gelant, Damian Willemse and Jesse Kriel that can fill that void due to their versatility."
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