25 Jun 2013

Duane finds favour with fans

Cape Town - Sport24 readers have backed Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen to replace the injured Pierre Spies for the Rugby Championship.

Spies has confirmed that he is out for the season after sustaining a bicep injury during the Springboks' Incoming Series Test against Samoa at Loftus Versfeld last Saturday.

Vermeulen is expected to return from injury in July, which will give him enough time to prepare for the first 2013 Rugby Championship Test on August 17 against Argentina in Bloemfontein.

In Sport24's online poll, 42% of voters gave Vermeulen their backing to be the Springbok eighthman, while Willem Alberts (25%) and Arno Botha (11%), came second and third, respectively.

Sport24 asked:

"Who do you think should play at No 8 for the Springboks?"

These were the results:

42% - Duane Vermeulen
24% - Willem Alberts
11% - Arno Botha
7% - Pierre Spies
6% - Siya Kolisi
5% - Ryan Kankowski
3% - Keegan Daniel
2% - Philip van der Walt

Here's what Sport24 readers had to say about replacing the injured Pierre Spies:

"Duane for bok number 8." - Wayne Megan Willemse

"HM is just waiting on Duane to recover." - Isak Visser

"Duane Vermeulens spot at 8 was never under any threat." - Izzi Max

"Duane for Bok 8, please. Thanks HM." - Adrian Snyman

"Vermeulen is almost fit! Give him some game time." - Gys Meyer

"Vermeulen when fit is the natural 1st choice." - Damian Bradley Stellenberg

"The legend awaits his return to the Bok no.8 jersey." - larrybrinkly

Duane Vermeuelen (R) and Willem Alberts (L). (Gallo Images)

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