Vermeulen ‘keen’ on possible Stormers reunion

John Dobson says he is hoping that Duane Vermeulen’s proposed move into coaching at the DHL Stormers is finalised in the next couple of weeks. DYLAN JACK reports.

Vermeulen has been linked with a valedictory return to the Stormers, where he could reportedly start his move into coaching.

SA Rugby this week confirmed that the veteran No 8 retired from rugby, chosing to end his career on a high after helping the Springboks win back-to-back World Cup titles.

This means that his move to the Stormers would purely be in a coaching capacity, as he takes the first steps to what is thought to be the road to becoming Jacques Nienaber’s spiritual successor as South Africa’s new defensive mastermind.

While nothing is official yet, Stormers coach Dobson told the media on Friday that the deal is close, with issues around Western Province Rugby’s new private equity partnership stalling it.

“We started talking with Duane last year,” Dobson said. “We knew he was going to retire and he was keen to stay in Cape Town. We reached an idea where he could look after the forwards in our pathway, which is very important, making sure those guys are technically strong.

“He is technically outstanding. He acts as a player-coach wherever he goes, he certainly did at Ulster and I suspect very much at the Springboks.

“If we could get him up here that would be great. But it is subject to a few things.

“We are in a curious place, this twilight area, where the equity deal has been approved by the clubs, but it is not through the final processes yet, in terms of signing it and going through the competition commission.

“So it is curious. We are still under full administration. The Red Disa consortium doesn’t have full control, but they also have to get insight into what we spend during this period. We can’t laden them with all sorts of spending.

“We see how Duane fits in here, and we think he is keen to come and we are keen to have him. But it still does need some movement off the field.

“There’s a will for everybody to make it happen. So hopefully we can get it wrapped up in the next couple of weeks.”

The Stormers are in action on Saturday, when they take on Benetton in Treviso.