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Vermeulen ditches Stormers deal in favour of rival Super franchise - reports
By Online Editors
Duane Vermeulen is returning to South Africa, but not with the Stormers - according to reports.
Vermeulen is currently with the Kubota Spears in Japan, but is set to return to Super Rugby in time for the 2019 campaign.
At the end of last season the Springbok Number 8 signed a deal to play for the Japanese side in their relatively short Top League season.
The short 32-year-old was then mooted to be returning to Super Rugby, with many speculating that the Stormers was the obvious destination for the backrow.
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After the third Test against England, Vermeulen confirmed that he will be unavailable for this year’s Rugby Championship and there was speculation about where he will be playing his rugby.
There were reports that Bath were interested in securing the Bok’s services after he done with his commitments in Japan, but that deal appears to have now fallen through.
It now appears that the Bulls and not the Stormers have won the race to his signing - according to Netwerk 24 in South Africa. What's more, they report he has a signed a duel national contract with the Springboks, paving the way for the star to make the Rugby World Cup in 2019.
A product of Nelspruit High School, he played for the Stormers between 2009 and 2015, after stints at the Cheetahs and Pumas.
He has been capped 42 times for the Springboks, but should he choose to end his career in his native land, he will likely significantly add to that tally.
Upon return to the Bok's fold, he will have to compete for a place among the Springbok's heavily stacked backrow depth, which includes captain Siya Kolisi, Warren Whiteley, former Stormers teammate Francois Louw, Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Franco Mostert among others.
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Latest Comments
I'm very aware that GB is not UK.
Also that the British Isles are not the same as the British Islands.
I still think your objection to calling this a tour to the UK is stupid and pedantic.
I repeat what I send earlier, the Boks are not playing anywhere except in the UK.
It's legitimate therefore to call this a tour to the UK.
But this is boring now, goodnight, goodbye. And good luck with your crusade (that really doesn't have any bearing on what the article is discussing.)
Go to commentsHappy for Asher Opoku-Fordjour but why oh why is he the only new face, Borthwick didn't have to change 50% of the team but surely another 2 or 3 squad guys could have been given the chance to show what they could do? What can we possibly learn from this game other than we can beat Japan with a strong team.... hold the front page....!!
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