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Cape Town - Stand-out Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen won't be lifting the IRB Player of the Year award for 2014, if bookmakers are to be believed...
VIDEO: The five 2014 IRB Player of the Year nominees
The Stormers' burly eighthman has enjoyed a break-out season which culminated in his nomination - alongside team-mate Willie le Roux - on the five-player shortlist for the top award in world rugby.
However, it's the All Blacks duo of wing Julian Savea and lock Brodie Retallick who are favoured to scoop the award in the coming days.
Savea has been installed as the 8/5 favourites according to SA bookies sportingbet, followed by Retallick at 9/4.
Vermeulen is next best at 12/5, followed by Ireland flyhalf Jonathan Sexton (6/1) and Le Roux (8/1).
While Vermeulen may not follow in the footsteps of former Springbok winners of the award - Schalk Burger (2004) and Bryan Habana (2007) - he ought to be a shoo-in for the 2014 SARU Rugby Player of the Year award.
VIDEO: The five 2014 IRB Player of the Year nominees
The Stormers' burly eighthman has enjoyed a break-out season which culminated in his nomination - alongside team-mate Willie le Roux - on the five-player shortlist for the top award in world rugby.
However, it's the All Blacks duo of wing Julian Savea and lock Brodie Retallick who are favoured to scoop the award in the coming days.
Savea has been installed as the 8/5 favourites according to SA bookies sportingbet, followed by Retallick at 9/4.
Vermeulen is next best at 12/5, followed by Ireland flyhalf Jonathan Sexton (6/1) and Le Roux (8/1).
While Vermeulen may not follow in the footsteps of former Springbok winners of the award - Schalk Burger (2004) and Bryan Habana (2007) - he ought to be a shoo-in for the 2014 SARU Rugby Player of the Year award.
