Vermeulen's return to South Africa confirmed

Duane Vermeulen has sealed his return to South Africa.

Vermeulen currrently plys his trade for the Kubota Spears in Japan, having left Toulon last season. His move back to Super Rugby is a clear bid to make the Springbok plane for the Rugby World Cup in Japan next year.

Vermeulen wasn’t involved in the Rugby Championship due to his club commitments in Japan.

The No 8, who played for French club Toulon between 2015 and 2018, had been linked to the Stormers and English club Bath, but it's the Blue Bulls who have won the race to his signature.

He has been capped 42 times for the Springboks, but he will now significantly add to that tally.

In a statement the Blue Bulls said: "The Blue Bulls Company are excited to confirm the signing of Springbok eight-man Duane Vermeulen.

"The big ball carrying loosie, who is currently plying his trade in Japan, will arrive in Pretoria in February 2019, and will spend the duration of the season with the Vodacom Bulls.

"Big Duane has donned the Green and Gold of the Springboks on 42 occasions, and boasts an illustrious career with a number of top class teams including: Pumas, Toyota Cheetahs, DHL Stormers, Toulon and the Kubota Spears.

BBCO High Performance Manager, Xander Janse van Rensburg, said: “Duane is an amazing rugby player, and is well respected around the world. We firmly believe that his abrasive style of play and experience will add immense value to our Vodacom Super Rugby campaign next year. At the age of 32, he is a seasoned veteran, that just gets better with every season.”

“2019 is going to be a massive year for us,” said Vermeulen, “and I’m keen on starting it with an impact at Loftus. The Bulls have always been a team that I have respected and I’m looking forward to joining the family."

A product of Nelspruit High School, he played for the Stormers between 2009 and 2015, after stints at the Cheetahs and Pumas.

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