Former DHL Stormers hard man Duane Vermuelen wants the DHL Stormers “just to play well and comeback injury free” on their two match tour of Wales and Ireland.
The DHL Stormers started their tour on a good note with a victory 29-17 over Llannelli Scarlets this past Saturday. They next take on his former United Rugby Championship
team Ulster on Friday night. They will be hoping to make it 2 out 2 on tour and come home with 10 points. This will put them in a really good position to make the playoffs.
Nicknamed Thor, the world class no8, is a 2-time world cup winner for the Springboks and is highly respected player throughout the rugby global spectrum. He is often remembered for his big ball carries, breakdown turnovers, ferocious tackles and his most important quality- his excellent leadership.
Telecomasia Sport had the opportunity to interview the Legendary 8th man and he touched on the Current United Rugby Championship and the DHL Stormers tour matches.
I must say the last game I watched against the Bulls at Loftus Versveld in the soaking rain - The DHL Stormers were really good and it was good to see the guys step up in those tough conditions. I know John Dobson and the team are in a tough position and a hole but it was great to see how they fought to secure that memorable win.
They are already on a 2 match tour now, Scarlets was a good solid victory and it is not easy playing there, but if you go on tour and you play away from home it’s always a bit difficult but, I still think the DHL Stormers showed they have the goods to produce, play well and I’m absolutely glad they got the victory over them (Scarlets).
After this victory, they take on my old former team Ulster and I think Ulster are not doing too well at the moment, so they have lost a lot of players, lost coaches, lost directors or CEOs and they have been in a tough financial position.
They are in a very difficult phase but they will step up going into the future, but I believe this is best time for the DHL Stormers to cash in and make it count with a victory in Belfast. Overall I can’t say, if they will get 2 out 2 victories but for South Africa’s sake and the Springboks. I hope they really play well and I hope they come back injury free. It will be a great tour if they can get 2 out 2, I would be totally over the moon for them.
Duanne then explained who he feels have been the standout players for the DHL Stormers in a struggling season.
It was actually interesting to see Wandisele Simelane playing well and settle in nicely at center (one position), so it’s nice to see him flourishing. After being moved around so much from the bulls and lions at fullback, wing and center, he’s playing well and he has impressed me from what I have seen in terms of the backline players.
I also like that young Scrumhalf Paul De Wet, he is someone for the future and maybe he will play for the Boks one day. In the pack upfront Deon Fourie , the veteran is keeping the youngsters busy so I back him a lot , he is a fantastic player and a fantastic leader to that group.
Duane also believes that Neethling Fouche has been outstanding and that he is definitely putting his hand up for Bok selection. He has been working a lot behind the scenes on his scrummaging technique which has been impressive.
Duane touched on the South African 8th man dilemma and how tough it is choosing the best 8th man for the Springboks currently with so much competition in that position for the 2025 International season.
We have a number of great 8th men at the moment and it is a difficult choice to make for our Springbok team, there are so many quality players in that position in South Africa and overseas in fact.
Cameron Hanekom is playing outstanding rugby and what a player he is, Evan roos has been getting his form back and had a massive game against the bulls, it’s good to see a guy like him make a such good return after injury.
Then Juarno Augustus overseas has been really spectacular for Northhampton Saints in England and is another guy putting his hand up for higher honours and he plays a similar style to me, so it’s interesting dilemma we sit with.
To put my finger on one player is very difficult to choose but I would say these 3 players are definitely in the mix and we could add Francke Horn from the lions as well. Jasper Wiese is probably the front runner I would say at this stage but these 3 or 4 youngsters will push him, so it’s just great to see the competition from all over, for that bok 8th man jersey
I’m glad I don’t have to play anymore, the competition is really healthy and really tough so it’s good to see how healthy we are in that position going forward to the 2025 international season.
Duane then gave a public message to fans of both the DHL Stormers and the Springboks respectively.
Go support the DHL Stormers in those last 4 homes, they need that support in the final stretch, every bit of it.
As you know the Springboks will be playing all over South Africa and we are going to different places this year that we haven’t been before, so we welcome everybody at all our venues, we are really looking forward to it.
Without the support from South Africa we are actually nothing, so please come support us and come in big numbers, we want to see you and we want full stadiums. Our duty is to deliver and make the fans happy so we want all the support.
The DHL Stormers will want to push for a top 6 ending and this 2 tour match tour and this weekend presents a perfect opportunity for them to do this. Momentum and confidence is now the key before the playoffs.
They have also welcomed back marquee players like Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg Mngomezulu who returned from lengthy injuries. This weekend another superstar, Suleiman Hartzenbergwill return as well.
The big bonus is they have 5 matches (1 last tour match and 4 home games at the DHL Stadium) to hit their full straps before the playoffs. For Sacha Feinberg Mngomezulu, its vital he continues at flyhalf.
This past Saturday, he was man of the match and was absolutely superb. His team mate Manie Libbok will unfortunately be unavailable for the rest of the season. So, Sacha will need to stay injury free and continue the excellent form.
At this Stage the top 4 (Leinster, Glasgow, Bulls and Sharks are well positioned, comfortable and all but secured their top 4 positions. The DHL Stormers currently sit at 8th position on the log, so they hold their own destiny in their own hands. The season has been very disappointing in terms of results, injuries and them not making The Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 and EPCR Challenge Cup.
But the opportunity is now for them to turn around this disappointing season and win another United Rugby championship trophy title.
For players like Brok Harris(retiring), Joseph Dweba, Paul De Wet and Herschelle Jantjies (all going to other clubs) it would be the best possible way to end their respective careers.
The match will kick off at 21:35pm SAS time On Friday Evening and will take place at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.
