Vermeulen: Scotland are more than just an attacking team
The Springboks may have home-ground advantage at Loftus Versfeld this weekend, but Duane Vermeulen believes the large Bulls contingent in the squad know better than anyone that Scotland will be anything but easy opponents.
With Handré Pollard, Embrose Papier, Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar, Ruan Nortje, Cobus Wiese, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Canan Moodie and Elrigh Louw all included in the matchday 23, South Africa boast a core of players who have recently gone toe-to-toe with Scotland’s backbone – the Glasgow Warriors.
The Bulls lost a thrilling Champions Cup clash to Glasgow earlier this season before exacting revenge in the United Rugby Championship semifinal, overturning an 18-point deficit to reach the final.
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That experience, Vermeulen says, has ensured there is no danger of the Springboks underestimating Gregor Townsend’s side.
“They played really well against Argentina away last week and they also had a good Six Nations,” Vermeulen said.
“They’re on the up and they’re a team you definitely need to make sure you know your roles against.”
The Springboks’ Mobi-Unit coach pointed to Glasgow’s famous URC final victory over the Bulls in Pretoria in 2024 as proof that Scottish teams are more than capable of thriving in South African conditions.
“Glasgow came here and played the Bulls. The first half was fantastic for the Bulls, but then Glasgow found their voice and their energy,” he said.
“Altitude didn’t play a big role. They actually beat the Bulls.”
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Scotland arrive in Pretoria buoyed by an impressive 54-27 victory over Argentina in Córdoba, where they crossed for seven tries to equal the all-time head-to-head record between the nations at 12 wins apiece.
Vermeulen believes their threat extends beyond their dangerous backline.
“They’re a really fit side, a skilful side and they want to play touchline to touchline,” he said.
“They’ve also got really mobile forwards.
“Everyone talks about their attack, but they’ve got a really strong defence as well. We’ve assessed that and we’re working hard on it.”
He also warned that matching Scotland physically will not be straightforward.
“They stay in the fight.
“Obviously, we want to take them on physically, but they’re well coached and they know exactly what they want to achieve.”
