Boks sweat over Vermeulen

 

The Boks play their final Rugby Championship match of the year against the All Blacks at Ellis Park next Saturday and although the Championship is decided, there is plenty to play for in terms of pride for the teams.

 

Vermeulen left the field late in the second half with a rib injury, and with Schalk Burger having already come onto the field for Teboho Mohoje saw Victor Matfield moving onto the flank in the vacant spot.

 

“Duane [Vermeulen] injured his ribs and it is a concern for us as he is one of the leaders in the team and a player who is in great form at present," coach Heyneke Meyer said.

 

Vermeulen was a huge presence for the Springboks as they slowly battered the Wallabies into submission, his physical presence will be sorely missed if the injury rules him out of the clash with the All Blacks.

 

"I thought that Duane is playing his best rugby ever, if you want to beat the All Blacks you have to be really effective on the ground and Duane gives us almost that extra openside even though he is a No.8.

"He is a warrior and a character so I really hope he will be fine but it is going to be 50/50," said Meyer.

 

The bench on matchday proved to Meyer that he has plenty of quality depth to play with, and he made mention of that at the post-match conference.

 

“We had a lot of injuries this year and could not really build momentum because of that," the coach said.

 

"That is why I am so pleased with the next group of guys who stepped in as we now have a nice depth to our squad.”