VIDEO: Respect for referees behind Bok captaincy decision

South Africa’s Director of Rugby Johan Erasmus has had his run-ins with match officials and their bosses.

However, having had a dramatic change of heart, the Springboks are now determined to cosy up to referees and put to bed any animosity that has existed.

That is one of the key reasons for naming Duane Vermeulen as a stand-in captain for the opening match of the Rugby Championship – when Springboks host the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Knee surgery has ruled out regular skipper Siyamthanda Kolisi out of the SANZAAR showpiece.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber said they are considering Vermeulen for a dual role – both as a starting No.8 and a member of the Bomb Squad.

“The captaincy was not a difficult decision for us,” Nienaber said, adding that there are other options to stand in as captain until Kolisi is fit again.

“Jasper [Wiese] is playing well, so it will be based on performance,” he said about the selection decisions going forward.

Director of Rugby Johan Erasmus said the decision to name Vermeulen as captain is because they prefer a forward to be their skipper, as opposed to a back.

(WATCH as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber and Director of Rugby Johan Erasmus unpack the reasons for making Duane Vermeulen captain…)

“We want someone who is closer to the referee,” Erasmus said, adding: “Referees never stand in the backline.

“Communication is one aspect and we also want to show referees [more] respect this year.

“The closer the captain is to the referee, the more beneficial it will be.

“He will be able to [better] communicate, listen and understand what the referee says.

“Loose forward and No.9 is always a good position to be captain.”

Vermeulen, 37, played the last of his 65 Tests against Argentina at Kingspark – coming off the bench in September last year in Durban.

He captained the Boks on two previous occasions – against Argentina and the All Blacks in 2019.

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