Durban – While Western Province and the Stormers boast a number of top-class loose forwards, they might just rue losing one of their brightest young talents.
Jacques Vermeulen may not be a name well known by South African rugby supporters, but that is all set to change after the 21-year-old joined the Sharks in the off-season.
The Paarl Gym product comes with a wonderful pedigree, having played for WP in the Craven Week, SA Schools and SA Under-20. A star No 8 at provincial level, Vermeulen has evolved into a blindside flank of some repute, and has a surprising turn of pace for a man who stands at 1.97m.
A skilful ball player, Vermeulen is hopeful that the move to Durban will result in Super Rugby action, having already turned out for WP in last year’s Currie Cup.
“I’m a very young player still and at Western Province, there were a lot of good players in my position. I believed that I needed to experience a change of scenery, and I felt that Durban was the place to come,” the youngster told the Sharks website.
“There are front-line players who were in the starting line-up here before me, so it’s not like I’m going to walk into the team. I know I have to work my way in, which means I’ll be working hard and trying my best.
“There are a lot of good loose forwards in this team, but I can play in any of the six, seven or eight jerseys, although generally, I’m a seven. I like to play running rugby, but also to bring versatility to my position – whichever one I am picked to play.”
Vermeulen does face a stern challenge to be selected for the Sharks match-23, given that head coach Robert du Preez’s sons Dan and Jean-Luc already came through the system in 2016.
The experienced Keegan Daniel, Philip van der Walt, Jean Deysel and Tera Mtembu are also in the loose-trio mix. But Vermeulen has already settled into his new environment and is determined to grab any chance that comes his way.
“Initially, it was a very difficult decision to make, but already, by the end of my first week here in Durban, it felt like home. All the guys were really welcoming and the Durban people are very nice, so it’s been easy adapting to my new rugby adventure,” he said.
“I had the opportunity to come to The Sharks, and I took it. It seemed like a very good opportunity at a very good rugby union, one of the best in the world, so it was an obvious option to follow.”