UANE VERMEULEN has taken
the rugby road less travelled.
According to the 33-year-old –
who is set for a leadership role
with the Springboks in the
upcoming Rugby Championship
and at the World Cup in Japan – the
journey has made all the difference in
terms of the man and player he is today.
Vermeulen spent three years at Toulon
before enjoying a stint with Kubota
Spears in the Japanese Top League.
This year has seen the former Stormers
captain cross the north-south divide to
feature prominently for the Bulls. What’s
remained constant over the course of
his journey, however, is his desire to
help South Africa win the World Cup.
“It’s been a challenge living in a hotel
for the better part of a year,” Vermeulen
says. “Last season I spent four months
away from my family while I was playing
in Japan. This year I’ve been staying in
Pretoria and travelling home to Cape
Town every two weeks to visit my wife
and boys. Initially, I wanted to go home
once a week but it hasn’t been possible.
“It’s not ideal. Fortunately I have a
family that is very understanding. We
knew in late 2017 that sacrifices would
need to be made if I wanted to go to the
next World Cup. The Japan deal was
already in place at that stage and
DISCOVERY
South Africa
Words Jon Cardinelli/SA Rugby magazine // Main Picture Charl Devenish/AFP/Getty Images
