"Huge shock" - Springboks coach to come out of retirement to play Wales

The two-time World Cup winner, who retired after the Springboks’ 2023 triumph, has been named as emergency cover despite having stepped into a coaching role since his final Test.

Vermeulen’s last appearance in green and gold came over two years ago in the World Cup final victory against New Zealand. Since then, he has been working within the Springboks’ structures as a “roving coach,” contributing across different departments under Rassie Erasmus.

Yet the 39-year-old now finds himself listed as the 25th man for the Cardiff fixture, an insurance policy in a squad stretched unusually thin.

The Springboks released several players back to their clubs in Japan, England, Ireland and South Africa ahead of the year-ending Test, leaving Erasmus with only 24 available squad members. The depleted resources forced him into naming a rare 7–1 bench split and elevating Ntuthuko Mchunu to 24th man, with Vermeulen next in line if injuries strike before kickoff.

Erasmus admitted the matchday makeup was not part of any long-term planning. “The team selection, I don’t think we planned at the beginning of the year to go 7-1… It’s actually the only guys available after discussing with our franchises,” he explained. The Springboks boss added: “One injury and [Mchunu] is in and another injury and Duane is in.”

With just two scrum-halves in camp and Damian Willemse covering fly-half, Erasmus conceded that his hand had been forced, but said the risk was one he was prepared to take to support domestic franchises preparing for the URC.

Should the situation escalate to the point where Vermeulen is required to suit up, it would represent one of the most unconventional selection moments of Erasmus’ already unpredictable career.