Jake: Duane helped Bulls down Stormers

10/03/2024 07:44

Jake White says Duane Vermeulen had a hand in the Vodacom Bulls’ win against the DHL Stormers at Loftus Versfeld, and hopes the former Bok is available to help when the season resumes.

In an interview with Sunday newspaper Rapport, White revealed that Vermeulen left a strong impression when he assisted the Bulls with their rolling mauls earlier this year.

Vermeulen’s plans, which were drummed into the Bulls’ players by forwards coach Andries Bekker, ended up being crucial in the 40-22 victory over the DHL Stormers in Pretoria, with hooker Johan Grobbelaar scoring twice.

“That was always Duane’s strong point as a player,” White told Rapport.

“He understands lineout defence and setting up turnovers. Any knowledge he can pass on to the players is very important. It’s definitely an area in which we can improve. If he can make a good contribution with that, we will definitely ask him to make sure that he and Andries help each other.”

Vermeulen, who hung up his boots after last year’s World Cup, was appointed earlier this year as one of three coaches in SA Rugby’s coaching mobi-unit, alongside Bafana Nhleko and Franzel September. The former No 8 was present at the Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town this week.

The mobi-unit coaches are available for all national teams, but are also there to help coach the local franchises on request.

Vermeulen played for the Bulls between 2019 and 2021, captaining Jake White’s team to the Currie Cup title in early 2021. He spent much of his early career at the Stormers, between 2009 and 2015.

Photo: @BlueBullsRugby/Twitter

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