Duane Vermeulen smashed boot-less but still catches Lwazi Mvovo
Western Province secured a Currie Cup home semi final on the weekend by beating the Sharks 33-21 at Newlands. It was a great game, with highlights to follow, but for now here is one of the best moments of the match.
Duane Vermeulen has been in great form of late and for many, should be on the end of the year tour with the Springboks. While it seems that Pierre Spies in unmovable as first choice, the aim for Vermeulen would be to jump ahead of Ryan Kankowski in the pecking order.
Province fans will tell you that Vermeulen should be first choice, while ardent Bulls and Sharks fans will no doubt disagree. That’s just the way it goes and despite all the pressure and criticism of Spies in recent times, it’s pretty safe to say that it’ll take a lot to bump him off the top spot.
This isn’t about that though, this is about Sharks center Andries Stauss absolutely smashing Vermeulen in the first half of the match. It was a fantastic tackle but didn’t stop the workmanlike Vermeulen, who then got up and – without his boots on – chased down gasman Lwazi Mvovo, another possible end of year tourist.
Why was Vermeulen bootless? Watch at the beginning of the clip when he and Bismarck Du Plessis go head to head and you’ll see that the one boot popped off then. What probably happened is that he wanted to keep up with play, so just took off the other.
It made for a comical incident though and even without the boots, he showed his pace and commitment by chasing down Mvovo, one of the top try scorers this season. Great rugby all round – first the confrontation with Du Plessis, then the Habana run, then the cracking hit, and finally the great chase. An outstanding few minutes of rugby.
Duane Vermeulen has been in great form of late and for many, should be on the end of the year tour with the Springboks. While it seems that Pierre Spies in unmovable as first choice, the aim for Vermeulen would be to jump ahead of Ryan Kankowski in the pecking order.
Province fans will tell you that Vermeulen should be first choice, while ardent Bulls and Sharks fans will no doubt disagree. That’s just the way it goes and despite all the pressure and criticism of Spies in recent times, it’s pretty safe to say that it’ll take a lot to bump him off the top spot.
This isn’t about that though, this is about Sharks center Andries Stauss absolutely smashing Vermeulen in the first half of the match. It was a fantastic tackle but didn’t stop the workmanlike Vermeulen, who then got up and – without his boots on – chased down gasman Lwazi Mvovo, another possible end of year tourist.
Why was Vermeulen bootless? Watch at the beginning of the clip when he and Bismarck Du Plessis go head to head and you’ll see that the one boot popped off then. What probably happened is that he wanted to keep up with play, so just took off the other.
It made for a comical incident though and even without the boots, he showed his pace and commitment by chasing down Mvovo, one of the top try scorers this season. Great rugby all round – first the confrontation with Du Plessis, then the Habana run, then the cracking hit, and finally the great chase. An outstanding few minutes of rugby.
:: Related Posts ::
The big hits from Western Province vs the Blue Bulls
Andy Powell huge hit on Duane Vermeulen
Time: 02:11
The big hits from Western Province vs the Blue Bulls
Andy Powell huge hit on Duane Vermeulen
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32 Comments:
So much happened in this clip, so first prize goes to anyone who can come up with a better title!
By GMC, at October 14, 2010 12:30 pm
How on earth can he lose both shoes?!
By Anonymous, at October 14, 2010 12:33 pm
Great tackle, brilliant timing - if he didn't make an instant decision, the guy was gone.
By Mike, at October 14, 2010 12:45 pm
Where the hell did he lose his shoes?
Considering how small Aplon is he really puts himself about a bit, that second tackle on Mvovo was fairly out there.
By Nick, at October 14, 2010 1:34 pm
He didn't have his boots on before he receives the ball! He is standing in the backline in just socks. Why does he have no boots on?
By Anonymous, at October 14, 2010 1:53 pm
What a great player, what a great play.
By Tim "Fester" Baga, at October 14, 2010 1:57 pm
@RD
Suggested title: "Pieter de Villiers gently reminded that SA has no shortage of talent."
I think on the Bok #8 question, I am coming round to the idea that Vermeulen might be a better choice to play alongside Burger and Smith. Spies is still the best ball-carrier we have, but the extra graft of Vermeulen might be more valuable to the team.
And the other thing to take from the game is how sharp the likes of Habana looked. 6-7 weeks off, on a conditioning program, seems to have been a very good idea. As if anyone should be surprised that players would benefit from playing less and training smarter.
By edbok, at October 14, 2010 1:57 pm
Vermeulen over Spies for me (albeit an England fan) - I think someone called it "having a bit of mongrel in him", and Vermeulen seems to have the grit that Spies appeared to lose in the tri-nations. Besides with Schalke Burger, the ball carrying options are not too bad for SA!
How about "vermeulen smashed and smashes" for the title...
By NiWiTa, at October 14, 2010 2:16 pm
"Is Duane Vermeulen for real"
By Alain Weyers, at October 14, 2010 2:35 pm
What great play, excellent rugby happening every second.
By Anonymous, at October 14, 2010 2:35 pm
RD you didn't jump for joy at being first???
Fantastic stuff and what a tackle for the turnover!!
By Andy, at October 14, 2010 4:00 pm
Who said they were so important good boots to play Rugby?
Both attacking and defending without them. Incredible.
By Unknown, at October 14, 2010 4:18 pm
"No Boots, No problem because rugby is my life" hahaha that is how passion he is in rugby
By Bru.Yadi 7, at October 14, 2010 4:42 pm
how about "Vermeulen's bootless bounce back"
By Gaz, at October 14, 2010 6:20 pm
Wonderful passage of play. RD wins best title from the contributions so far....
By Title Judge, at October 14, 2010 6:56 pm
@RD - a general remark: your slogan and a number of items of merchandise advertised on the site are rather sexist.
By The PC brigade, at October 14, 2010 6:57 pm
@RD - a general remark: your slogan and a number of items of merchandise advertised on the site are rather sexist.
By The PC brigade, at October 14, 2010 6:57 pm
Andy Powell smashed his ASS!!!!!!
By Anonymous, at October 14, 2010 7:31 pm
Well, it was more like his chest that he smashed actually. Good hit though.
By Laz, at October 14, 2010 7:49 pm
He lost the first boot in his own 22 when he got driven sideways in the tackle, then caught up with play (Habana) wearing one, then lost the other getting absolutely smashed I think
By RedYeti, at October 14, 2010 7:53 pm
@ The PC Brigade - it's been four years and that's honestly the first time someone has commented on that. Thanks for the feedback.
By GMC, at October 14, 2010 8:13 pm
How bout........
"Vermeulen smashed, then socks it to Mvovo".
Currie Cup rugby is a great Comp.
By Old7, at October 15, 2010 12:40 am
This clip just shows why the Currie Cup is awesome. Love it!
I like playing rugby barefoot; I find it easier to run that way. But the problem comes when kicking the ball (after a dozen times, your foot gets pretty red), and the fact that 29 other guys are probably going to wear boots.
For Ireland's sake, I'd wish Gio Aplon isn't in the Boks squad in November, but then again, I'd love to see him and Shane Williams playing off each other.
By chinook, at October 15, 2010 1:19 am
*when they play Wales
By chinook, at October 15, 2010 1:20 am
Welcome back Habana, looks sharp
By Anonymous, at October 15, 2010 2:11 am
Maybe SA can lend one or two quality number 8's to other countries! They just seem to be so full of talent... No wonder why PDV has gone bonkers.
By Juggernauter, at October 15, 2010 2:29 am
oh no doubt they have a ton of talent. you just need to look how their two top sides dominated the super 14 this year. too bad the national coaching staff are pathetic and have zero clue.
By Leguizam, at October 15, 2010 2:42 am
They do have inredible depth, them and NZ produce amazing players.
Like alot of countries they do lack in some departments though.
Not many ball playing five eights or centres in South Africa.
Amazing forward packs though.
By Jono, at October 15, 2010 3:24 am
Oh, and awesome rugby, gotta love the currie cup.
By Jono, at October 15, 2010 3:27 am
Jean De Villiers was actually really good in this match. Played better than I've seen him play in a long time. Habana too, looking sharp as someone mentioned. He looked more like the Habana of a few years back with that run. Amazing what a bit of conditioning and rest can do for players.
Love this clip by the way.
By Laz, at October 15, 2010 10:24 am
just watched the full match and Habana was everywhere.
By Anonymous, at October 15, 2010 2:26 pm
"Boots not required"
"Scintallating sock foot tackle"
"South African rugby at it's best, boots optional"
"Big run, big hit, big run, big hit, great tackle, no boots"
By Canadian Content, at October 16, 2010 12:00 am
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