South Africa’s best player explains why he was never missing the Ireland series

Toulon await in the Top 14 semi-finals but they will have to win the Bouclier de Brennus without Duane Vermeulen.

The Springbok No.8 arrived back in South Africa last weekend to emphatically end speculation on his international future. Vermeulen had been involved in a publicly played out spat between the South African Rugby Union and Toulon, his principal employers, over his participation in the upcoming series with Ireland. Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal suggested the forward would have his pay cut if he chose the Boks while SARU openly pushed the notion of an enforced, six-month retirement had he stayed in France. [caption id="attachment_44719" align="alignnone" width="580"] Credit: World Rugby (YouTube)[/caption] As it turned out, Vermeulen is back home and looking forward to locking horns with Ireland again. He last featured against Joe Schmidt's side in November 2014, when the Boks lost 15-10 at the Aviva Stadium. The 29-year-old stressed that South Africa were always going to win the tug-of-war. He told reporters:

"It was not even a decision for me to stay [in France]. "I said from the beginning that I wanted to play international rugby. If I can represent my country - and it doesn’t matter where they play - I will do it with all my power."

Also arriving back from Europe were Bath flanker Francois Low and Bordeaux prop Steven Kitshoff. Adriaan Strauss - cousin of Ireland hooker Richardt Strauss - will captain the Springboks in Saturday's first Test and beyond.