Duane Vermeulen talks Ulster, Springboks

Duane Vermeulen’s stay at Irish club Ulster has been short but the burly South African does not appear to be short on enthusiasm for this latest adventure of his. 

During a recent appearance on the Ulster Rugby Show, Vermeulen chatted to Rory Best, Tommy Bowe and Gavin Andrews about the new journey as well as his hopes for the future. 

"I don't play this game to compete, I play to win,” he said. “Everyone wants to walk off the field a winner and lift trophies - that's what it's all about." 

Such an attitude is no doubt warmly welcomed at Ulster who are currently suffering a 15 year drought in terms of trophies. 

"If I can contribute to something like that I'd be happy. By doing that you get younger guys looking up to you and learning from you. You don't even have to say anything, people see the difference quickly. 

"You have to have guys working towards that same goal and keep on setting goals along the way, consistently growing as a team. 

"From what I have seen in my short time as part of the squad it seems the guys have that so now it's just fine tuning. 

"In South Africa we love the maul. It's really part of the things we do and it's something I hope I can contribute to this squad and hopefully we can change one or two things and score a lot of maul tries." 

Vermeulen’s scheduled start for Ulster was hampered somewhat by Covid-19, but the Springbok number 8 eventually debuted recently against Clermont in their Champions Cup opener – a game Ulster took 29-23. 

 "The first few weeks were really challenging and I'm still finding my feet and looking forward to getting to know Belfast. 

"After that one training session I sensed a great vibe and that there is massive energy in this squad. That was something new that I haven't really experienced before, the way the squad pitched up for their first European game of the season. 

"It's something I like. I will keep soaking it up and learn much and hopefully within a couple of weeks I can contribute a lot more. 

"It [Clermont] is a really difficult place to win - I've played there for Toulon and we won once in the four or five games we played there. There is always a massive crowd and a big noise. 

"Playing at Kingspan in the win over Northampton was fantastic too - running out with the crowd behind you, the atmosphere before and after the game. I really enjoyed it all. 

"We just have to sharpen up on a few little things and then we feel that we are pretty much there." 

When asked about future Springbok aspirations, the 35 year-old said: 

"I always said if things didn't work out contractually in South Africa then I'd go to play abroad. 

"The Ulster offer came up and I thought 'maybe doing this might be good for my rugby'. You can always learn and maybe a change of scenery and environment will do me good. 

"I chatted to my wife and we decided on doing that. 

"I still want to play for the Springboks as well. So if I can push towards the next World Cup as well, that's my marker. That's a big thing. 

"If I can play and contribute I want to keep going as long as I can."