Duane Vermeulen opens up on Rassie Erasmus ‘scuffle’ as he feared ‘sour grapes’ would end World Cup dreams

South Africa’s Siya Kolisi, left and South Africa’s Duane Vermeulen are substituted during the Rugby World Cup semifinal match between England and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Saturday, Oct, 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba

The great Duane Vermeulen has opened up on his confrontation with the Springboks coaches, which he thought could finish his Rugby World Cup chances.

The 37-year-old ended up becoming a double Rugby World Cup winner in 2023 after the Boks defeated the All Blacks 12-11 for their fourth title.

Vermeulen started every knockout match, including playing 57 minutes in the final, as the experienced back-row rolled back the years at the global tournament.

Retirement and new job

That clash against New Zealand was his last-ever professional game as he retired to take up a high-ranking position within SA Rugby.

Interestingly, the former number eight will now work alongside Rassie Erasmus in a “roving coaching role with all SA Rugby’s national teams”, but it could have been very different.

According to Vermeulen, he came to blows with both Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber, which he thought would count against him in World Cup year.

But it didn’t. After missing the November series in 2022, he was recalled for the 2023 Rugby Championship and duly went to France for the global tournament.

Quiz: Can you name the Springboks matchday 23 from the Rugby World Cup Final versus the All Blacks

During the new documentary, Chasing the Sun 2, Vermeulen reveals the conflict between him and the coaching staff.

“At our camp in Durban, Rassie called me in and the whole management team was sitting there. It was before the announcement of the World Cup squad,” he said.

“The year before that, we had a big scuffle, myself and Rassie and Jacques. It was a difficult time for me.

“I thought that perhaps I wasn’t going to be selected, because maybe there were still some sour grapes.”

Record-breaking title

However, it was all sorted out, and a harmonious Springboks outfit went on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a record fourth time.

They also became just the second team, after the All Blacks in 2011 and 2015, to secure back-to-back titles and will aim for an unprecedented three-peat in Australia in 2027.

Although Vermeulen will not be there in a playing capacity, he could well have a key role as a coach after taking up his position within SA Rugby.

Erasmus, who is back as the team’s head coach after vacating that position following the 2019 World Cup, evidently values the rugby intellect the former back-row brings.