JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY

DUANE VERMEULEN has taken the rugby road less travelled. According to the 33-year-old – who is set for a leadership role with the Springboks in the upcoming Rugby Championship and at the World Cup in Japan – the journey has made all the difference in terms of the man and player he is today.

Vermeulen spent three years at Toulon before enjoying a stint with Kubota Spears in the Japanese Top League. This year has seen the former Stormers captain cross the north-south divide to feature prominently for the Bulls. What’s remained constant over the course of his journey, however, is his desire to help South Africa win the World Cup.

“It’s been a challenge living in a hotel for the better part of a year,” Vermeulen says. “Last season I spent four months away from my family while I was playing in Japan. This year I’ve been staying in Pretoria and travelling home to Cape Town every two weeks to visit my wife and boys. Initially,