Duane Vermeulen, who continues to impress as a player and a leader, is on the cover of this month's SA Rugby magazine.
Vermeulen had an outstanding 2014, being nominated for the World Rugby Player of the Year award and winning the SA Player of the Year award (along with two others).
The No 8 said in early February that there was no risk of him resting on his laurels in 2015, and his inspirational performances during the early rounds of this year’s Super Rugby certainly lend some weight to that statement.
In the latest issue of SA Rugby magazine, Vermeulen says he owes his success to his parents, his late father André in particular.
‘What I’m doing now … I think my dad would have loved this opportunity. In a way, I’m living his dream. That’s probably why I got so emotional when I won those awards.'
Bok forwards coach Johann van Graan also talks about the vital role Vermeulen performs for the team, while Bok defence coach John McFarland looks at the impact he makes in that area of the game.
Also in the new issue:
– Bulls fullback Jesse Kriel always backs himself to have a go
– Sharks flank Marcell Coetzee has developed into a truly world-class player
– The Kings will be up against it when they make their Super Rugby return next year
– Cheetahs flank Heinrich Brüssow must sustain his best form throughout Super Rugby to end his time in the international wilderness
– Warren Whiteley’s performances during the Lions’ Australasian tour merit higher honours
– Journeyman prop Ross Geldenhuys tried hard to find a destination in South Africa, but eventually had to look beyond his homeland
– Force flank Brynard Stander on being snubbed by the Sharks, adapting to life down under, and why Saffas are much sought after in Perth
– Saru wants to adopt a central contracting system in a bid to stem the player exodus
– In the third instalment of a series on Springbok coaches, SA Rugby magazine looks back at the four-year reign of Peter de Villiers
– Ireland will go into the World Cup full of confidence after clinching their second successive Six Nations title
– Rugby’s inclusion for Rio 2016 is helping to grow the game in Brazil
