Duane Vermeulen

Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen has offered words of support for his former team-mate Jannie du Plessis whose youngest son tragically drowned. Photo: SA Rugby website

Duane Vermeulen offers support to Jannie du Plessis: ‘I can’t imagine such a loss’

Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen has offered words of support for his former team-mate Jannie du Plessis whose youngest son tragically drowned.

Duane Vermeulen

Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen has offered words of support for his former team-mate Jannie du Plessis whose youngest son tragically drowned. Photo: SA Rugby website

Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen has offered words of support for his former national team-mate Jannie du Plessis, whose youngest son, who was just over 10 months old, tragically drowned on Tuesday evening.

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“We woke up to the very sad news this morning and their family are in our thoughts,” said Duane Vermeulen when speaking to the media on Wednesday.

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“It is a difficult time for them and we support them. I simply can’t imagine what Jannie and his family must be going through. I can’t begin to comprehend what one must feel after such a loss.

“We really want to offer them all our condolences, we understand it’s a hugely difficult time.”

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Du Plessis was at tighthead when Vermeulen made his Springbok debut against Australia in Perth in 2013 and they played many Tests together, as well as for the Cheetahs in their Currie Cup final triumph in 2007.

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