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Cape Town - Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen may undergo a neck operation which leaves his participation at this year’s Rugby World Cup in doubt.
Vermeulen missed the Stormers’ Super Rugby qualifier against the Brumbies last month, with the Cape franchise at the time indicating he would in all likelihood have been fit for a possible semi-final.
The Stormers lost their playoff game to the Brumbies but it’s likely that Vermeulen would not have played had they progressed to the semi-finals the following week.
The injury is more severe as initially stated and the burly No 8 was sent to Durban last Thursday to obtain another specialist opinion.
According to Netwerk24’s sources, it is likely that Vermeulen will undergo an operation, which casts doubt over his participation in the Rugby World Cup in England and Wales.
The Boks start their campaign against Japan in Brighton on September 19.
Vermeulen, 29, recently signed a three-year deal with French club Toulon and he will join them after the World Cup.
