1
Jamie George hails double RWC-winning Bok as greatest ever opponent
By Josh Raisey
England captain Jamie George has named former South Africa No 8 Duane Vermeulen as the best player he has ever faced.
The 76-cap Springbok went head-to-head with the Englishman numerous times during his career, coming out on top in some of the biggest occasions - notably the 2019 World Cup final and the semi-final four years later.
Now a member of Rassie Erasmus' South Africa coaching staff following his retirement after winning his second World Cup last year, Vermeulen has been praised for having an "unbelievable understanding of the game" as well as being a "freak".
Joining his former England team-mate and good friend Danny Care on the Hits Different podcast, George overlooked the likes of Brian O'Driscoll and Jonny Wilkinson when picking his toughest-ever opponent.
George will lead an England team coached by the legendary No 8 for the first time in November when England host the Springboks at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium.
“It was really cool when I was younger to play against some of the GOATS,” the England hooker said.
“I played against O’Driscoll and Wilkinson, all those boys were the guys I grew up supporting, but I think the best player that I played against was Duane Vermeulen.
“That guy honestly, he hits different. Talk about physicality, he is ridiculous but also his game feel, his understanding. However many kilos he is and he still jumps in the lineout, he’s got everything.
“He genuinely has everything, a bit mind-blowing really.
“He wasn’t overly outspoken on the field but he let his rugby do the talking and he’s a freak.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Wallaroos captain reflects on Black Ferns’ success with sevens stars
3
Springboks flyhalf's latest injury worry
4
Initial Immanuel Feyi-Waboso injury update does not sound promising
5
Latest Comments
Yes I was surprised at how close the pen count was - the spread between best and worst being just 2. The number of yellow cards though will surely be something the Boks will look to address
Go to commentsBriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiistol! Briiiiiiiiiiiiiiiistol! Briiiiiiiiiiiiiiiistol!
It's incredible to see the boys playing like this. Back to the form that saw them finish on top of the regular season and beat Toulon to win the challenge cup. Ibitoye and Ravouvou doing a cracking Piutau/Radradra impression.
It's abundantly clear that Borthwick and Wigglesworth need to transform the England attack and incorporate some of the Bears way. Unfortunately until the Bears are competing in Europe, the old criticisms will still be used.. we failed to fire any punches against La Rochelle and Leinster which goes to show there is still work to do but both those sides are packed full of elite players so it's not the fairest comparison to expect Bristol to compete with them. I feel Bristol are on the way up though and the best is yet to come. Tom Jordan next year is going to be obscene.
Test rugby is obviously a different beast and does Borthwick have enough time with the players to develop the level of skill the Bears plays have? Even if he wanted to? We should definitely be able to see some progress, Scotland have certainly managed it. England aren't going to start throwing the ball around like that but England's attack looks prehistoric by comparison, I hope they take some inspiration from the clarity and freedom of expression shown by the Bears (and Scotland - who keep beating us, by the way!). Bristol have the best attack in the premiership, it'd be mad for England to ignore it because it doesn't fit with the Borthwick and Wigglesworth idea of how test rugby should be played. You gotta use what is available to you. Sadly I think England will try reluctantly to incorporate some of these ideas and end up even more confused and lacking identity than ever. At the moment England have two teams, they have 14 players and Marcus Smith. Marcus sticks out as a sore thumb in a team coached to play in a manner ideologically opposed to the way he plays rugby, does the Bears factor confuse matters further? I just have no confidence in Borthers and Wiggles.
Crazy to see the Prem with more ball in play than SR!
Go to comments