Duane Vermeulen of the Bulls looks on during a scrum during the 2019 Super Rugby season. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images
Blue Bulls: Loftus faithful boosted by Vermeulen announcement
Springbok number 8 Duane Vermeulen will return to the Blue Bulls for the 2020 Currie Cup campaign it was announced this weekend.
Duane Vermeulen of the Bulls looks on during a scrum during the 2019 Super Rugby season. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images
Blue Bulls fans have something to get excited about at last after a bleak start to the Super Rugby season.
The Blue Bulls have been gunned down four times, and they prop up the South African conference. Shortly after the team slumped to a 24-39 defeat to the Jaguares at Loftus on Saturday 29 February, the organisation announced that Duane Vermeulen would rejoin the group.
Vermeulen to return to the Blue Bulls
Unfortunately, Vermeulen will not be available until June which means he will not take part in the 2020 Super Rugby season but will be around to help the Blue Bulls end what has been a 10-year barren spell in the Currie Cup.
This season the Blue Bulls have been one-dimensional in attack and their ability to finish off forays forward has been in question.
Pote Human’s team started their campaign with a narrow defeat to the Sharks in Durban and a dour shutout loss to the Stormers in Cape Town, failing to score a try in either match. The Blue Bulls stumbled to another narrow loss to a disjointed Blues team at Loftus before coming off decidedly second-best against the Jaguares in Pretoria.
Vermeulen was part of the Blue Bulls 2019 Super Rugby campaign having returned to SA Rugby after a three-year stint with Toulon.
The Mpumalanga-born loose forward started his career with the Pumas before moving to the Cheetahs where he made his Super Rugby debut. Vermeulen really shot to prominence after a move to the Cape, and he played 89 matches for the franchise as well as 38 appearances for Western Province.
The 33-year-old Springbok is still massively influential as a ball-carrier and general nuisance, as well as being a leadership figure. The Bulls could certainly use a little bit of Vermeulen’s blunt direction.
In the frame for Rugby Championship
Vermeulen will be looking to keep himself fit and in the frame for Springbok selection for the Rugby Championship title defence. He has already played 54 Tests for the Boks and brings a wealth of experience to Loftus.
The Kubota Spears in Japan currently enjoy Vermeulen’s services. The Club are sixth in Japan’s 16-team Top League. The Japanese domestic season concludes in May.
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