Is Duane Vermeulen set for key role in SA Rugby alongside Rassie Erasmus?

If media reports are to be believed, Vermeulen, who retired as a double World Cup winner after South Africa's triumph at the global showpiece in France last year, was initially linked with a role in the Western Province (WP) and Stormers set-up.

This, after he reportedly turned down an offer as defence and forwards coach from the Bulls last year as he preferred to stay in Cape Town.

The 37-year-old, who made 76 Test appearances for the Springboks, now appears to have been contracted by SA Rugby where he will work with Erasmus, who has stepped down from his position as director of rugby to concentrate on his role as head coach of the Boks.

That means that the director of rugby role becomes redundant and Erasmus will from now on only report to SA Rugby's chief executive Rian Oberholzer.

Reputable Afrikaans newspaper Rapport reports that Vermeulen will be appointed in an "important, full-time" position at SA Rugby, which will see his knowledge used in a position with responsibilities beyond a defence coach.

His job description will be confirmed when SA Rugby announce the appointment of Jerry Flannery as the South Africa's new defence coach and Tony Brown as attack coach.

Initially, Vermeulen was expected to be involved only as a defence coach but with his appointment being on a full-time basis, the governing body will now be able to use him in other areas as well.

He will reportedly be allowed to help with the coaching of other South African national teams, taking some of Erasmus' responsibilities as director of rugby, even though SA Rugby has no intention of filling that position.

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