VIDEO: ThorMeulen - the waterboy who enjoys 'giving his two cents'
Daniel Johannes Vermeulen has made the transition from the playing field to the coaching box rather smoothly.
Barely two months after winning his second World Cup, having played the last of his 76 Tests, he took up the role of a Mobi-Unit coach in Cape Town.
Vermeulen, 38, described the transition from player to coach as “easy”.
“I am still part of the team,” he said, adding: “I know the players and I have worked with the coaches before.”
Speaking ahead of the second Test against Australia in Perth this coming Saturday, he said it is nice to remain in the mix and continue to learn from his fellow coaches.
“I really enjoy learning about different aspects,” he said.
“As a player, I always looked at the game a little differently.
“I always gave my two cents when needed.
“It is nice to contribute and hopefully I can keep on learning while I work with the players.
“The more you are in the mix, the quicker you learn.
“It has been a great journey and I enjoy every step of the way.”
Vermeulen said his role in the South African Rugby Union set-up has changed since his initial appointment.
(WATCH as Duane Vermeulen explains his new ‘coaching role’ with the Springboks….)
“I was listed as a Mobi-Unit coach,” he said, adding: “I had the opportunity to work with the Under-20 team for about two weeks.
“[Coach] Rassie [Erasmus] and the Springbok staff decided to pull me in – to be the link between the coaches and the players.”
He said being a waterboy involves a lot more than what the title suggests.
“There is a lot of information that goes through those mics – communication from top to bottom and from the field up to the coaches.
“It is an easy link.
“I was on the field, not even a year ago.
“It is nice to be that link and I am enjoying that role.
“We will see where it takes me.”
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