England 'discard' still chasing Bok dream

Exeter loose forward Jacques Vermeulen has his sights set on donning the green and gold in the hope that his latest move to Sale Sharks could aid his dream.

Vermeulen is ineligible to represent England despite completing his five-year residency in the country because he represented South Africa as a Junior Springbok.

Vermeulen’s current side Exeter is currently second last on the 2024-25 Premiership table after recording just four wins from 17 games, just one position ahead of notorious strugglers Newcastle Falcons.

The 2020 Champions Cup winners are a shadow of their former selves this season and took some heavy defeats in the process.

Vermuelen’s new team, Sale Sharks, with whom he will join ahead of the 2025-26 season, are currently third on the Premiership table and are in firm contention for the play-offs.

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The 30-year-old flanker has been a standout in a struggling Exeter outfit and he is hopeful that joining a title-contending team such as Sale would bolster his chances to put his hand up for Test selection.

He is also inspired by a fellow South African loose forward who earned a national call-up after an outstanding season with a rival Premiership outfit.

“I still want to play international rugby. If I get the opportunity to one day maybe play for the Springboks that will be a dream come true,” he told BBC Sport.

“I do think that new season, new team, I think they’ve got some really good players.

“If you win trophies and stuff with a team I think that just makes it so much easier for you to get into international setups.

“We’ve seen it now with Northampton Saints like Juarno Augustus. He was never in the picture and he goes in a Champions Cup Final and into the Springboks set-up.

“It just shows you if you play in finals and semifinals that opens the door for higher honours.”

Source: @BBC Sport.