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South Africa No. 8 Vermeulen an injury doubt for World Cup
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outh Africa No. 8 Duane Vermeulen may miss the World Cup because of a neck injury in what would be a major blow to the Springboks' title hopes.
The South African Rugby Union said Monday that Vermeulen required surgery after consulting a specialist. He'll have the operation on Wednesday and likely be sidelined for all of South Africa's games ahead of the World Cup ' and also may not recover in time for the showpiece in England and Wales starting in September.
"This is a huge setback for us, but as with any injury in the game it's something that we simply have to overcome," South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer said.
However, South Africa's problem with Vermeulen was offset by the news later Monday that captain Jean de Villiers had recovered from a serious knee injury sooner than expected and was available again. De Villiers could even play this Saturday in South Africa's season-opener against a World XV in Cape Town, SARU said.
Center De Villiers had reconstructive surgery on his left knee after dislocating his knee cap and damaging ligaments in a test against Wales last November. He hasn't played since, and was expected to only recover just before the World Cup.
Vermeulen's absence will still be a big blow for South Africa. He was the country's player of the year and a nominee for the world player of the year in 2014. SARU did not give an estimate on how long he would be out, but said he was in a "race against time" to make the World Cup. Having surgery now was best for Vermeulen's "medium to long term career options," Springboks team doctor Craig Roberts said.
The 29-year-old Vermeulen joins an injury list containing veteran scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, center Frans Steyn and flanker Willem Alberts, among others.
But players returning from injury alongside De Villiers were flyhalf Pat Lambie, scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, center Lionel Mapoe, 2007 World Cup-winning flanker Schalk Burger and lock Lood de Jager.
No. 2-ranked South Africa, a two-time world champion, opens its World Cup against Japan on Sept. 19. Before that, the Springboks begin their season against a World XV and play Australia, New Zealand and Argentina in a curtailed southern hemisphere championship. They have a final warm-up game against Argentina before the World Cup. (hhr)
