disappointing thing for me is the drop
in standards and expectations. We had
25,000 people at Loftus for our opening
game against the Stormers. One of the
senior players told me he was thrilled
to see so many fans in the stands. That
comment broke my heart. When I think
back to when I was with the Stormers
between 2009 and 2015 we’d play in
front of big crowds on a regular basis.
“Maybe there are other reasons for the
decline in attendance. Maybe there is
too much rugby on the go. I’m not the
guy to say. What I don’t agree with is
people who say the attendance is a
reflection of results. There will always
be a winner and a loser on game day,
and even in the bad times you’d expect
to see a decent turnout. The problem
is not limited to the Bulls, of course.
It’s an issue across the tournament.
“There are so few youngsters at games
nowadays. I hope they aren’t losing the
love for the game. I have two boys who
can’t get enough of rugby. To see that
sparkle in their eyes, that excitement,
whenever the conversation moves to
rugby... it’s inspiring. I’d hope this is the
case across the country and that the
situation improves in coming years.”
Vermeulen looks set to wear the Boks
No 8 jersey for the World Cup but is
mindful of other contenders pushing
for that starting spot, with the Rugby
Championship offering players a final
audition to make the squad for Japan.
Warren Whiteley may be recovering
from knee surgery, but Francois Louw,
Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Dan du Preez
were all used by Rassie Erasmus over
the course of the 2018 Test season.
“There are still a few months until the
World Cup and I’m feeling the pressure.
A number of loose forwards have put
their hands up this year. Dan du Preez
has been in tremendous form for the
Sharks. I’m sure he’d make the most
of his opportunity at Test level.
“Prop Lizo Gqoboka is another forward
who has given the national coaches
some food for thought. These guys
are fighting for World Cup places andputting the more established players
like myself under pressure. It’s a good
thing, though, as it’s forcing us to
perform week in and week out. We’re
all striving for a higher standard.”
Vermeulen played a key role for the
Boks at the last World Cup – throwing
an outrageous offload in the dying
minutes of the quarter-final against
Wales to set up Fourie du Preez for the
game-winning try. This time things will
be different. Vermeulen will travel to
the competition as one of the senior
statesmen and the team will include
fewer seasoned players.
“What needs to be stressed is the
growth of the side and key individuals
since the start of the 2018 season. We
won’t have the same side we did in
2015, at least not in terms of caps. That
said, I have a feeling we might surprise
a few people at this World Cup.” n“There are so few youngsters at
games nowadays. I hope they’re
not losing the love for the game”