Duane Vermeulen says his desire to captain the Springboks is greater than ever.
Vermeulen has earned 35 Test caps since his debut in 2012 and emerged as the Boks' first-choice eighthman for the past two seasons. He has also been colossal for the Stormers in Super Rugby since moving down from the Cheetahs in 2009.
His decision to leave the franchise to take up a contract with Toulon in France at the end of last season has cast doubt on his possible selection as Bok captain. But the 29-year-old will still rate his chances after Jean de Villiers and Victor Matfield announced their retirement from Test rugby after last year’s World Cup.
‘I would give anything to lead the Springboks,’ Vermeulen told Rapport. ‘As I’ve said before, I never thought something so special will come my way, but the more one is placed in such a position, the more you want of it and the more you want to learn. There is nothing better than representing your country as captain. It's definitely something I want to achieve.’
Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP
