Duane Vermeulen ready to fight for World Cup spot amid tough competition

Duane Vermeulen believes he can still play an important part for the Springboks at this year's Rugby World Cup, as the all-time great eyes an epic send-off to a stellar career.

Speaking to RugbyPass recently, Vermeulen said he was ready to "fight tooth and nail" to play a part for the Boks in France come September.

Vermeulen recently concluded a two-year stint with Ulster, helping the Irish outfit to second place on the United Rugby Championship log before they were stunned by Connacht in the quarter-finals.

Last year, as he was trying to make his way back from injury, Vermeulen found himself behind Jasper Wiese in the Springbok pecking order, while Stormers No 8 Evan Roos is also making a strong case for selection.

With reports suggesting that the 36-year-old is heading back to South Africa to join the Stormers and reconnect with his family in Cape Town, Vermeulen is aiming for a final World Cup campaign before likely hanging up his boots in the international game.

While it couldn't have been easy losing his starting spot in the Springbok side last year, Vermeulen insists he has no regrets about not choosing to retire earlier.

"Covid played a big role in my decision not to retire from the international game in 2021," he told RugbyPass. "We had a lot of time off after the 2019 World Cup due to the pandemic, and in a sense we had a lot of time to rest our bodies that we wouldn't have had otherwise.

"I don't regret my decision to stay on. I've come a long way with Rassie and Jacques, and I respect them a great deal as coaches. I said that if I can add value, I will continue to fight for a spot."

A proud warrior with more than 60 Springbok caps to his name, Vermeulen is nonetheless willing to do whatever it takes to help the Boks in France, even if it means playing a supporting role.

"My goal has never changed, I want to be part of the Bok team and I want to represent them at the World Cup. That said, I realise how much the situation has changed, and how my role may be different this time round. I may be part of the squad, but not a starter. That's okay - I've just got to work as hard as I can to perform that role to the best of my ability."