Vermeulen hints at changes for Perth Test

Springbok assistant coach, Duane Vermeulen, has hinted at some possible changes in playing personnel ahead of the return Rugby Championship encounter between South Africa and Australia in Perth on Saturday.

The recently retired Vermeulen faced the media in his new role as an assistant coach to bridge the gap between the players and the coaching staff.

Alongside him was one-cap Bok prop, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, and double World Cup-winning wing, Makazole Mapimpi.

Wessels and Mapimpi did not feature in the 33-7 win over the Wallabies in Brisbane this past Saturday.

Vermeulen did not deny the possibility of their involvement in the Rugby Championship Round Two match in Perth.

Traditionally, the Monday media briefing is used to introduce players – alongside an assistant coach – that will feature in that week’s match.

🇿🇦 Springboks’ mobi-unit coach Duane Vermeulen hints at changes for the second Test against Australia.#AUSvRSA #RugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/tkhTU1tDFS

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) August 12, 2024

“We have a squad of 33 players, and you want to use all 33,” Vermeulen said. “You need the guys to stay and form and perform when there is an injury.  They need to have game time.”

“You see these two guys [Wessels and Mapimpi] here [at the top table] and they might be in the mix. You need game time, and you need experience.”

“Rassie [Erasmus] and his coaching staff will hopefully select the perfect team to perform on the weekend,” he added. Written by Ntsako Mkhari