Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has denied media reports that he’s had a falling out with Duane Vermeulen.
Vermeulen was curiously left out of Coetzee’s squad for their end-of-year tour which led to speculation there was a rift between the coach and the Toulon number eight.
The speculation was strengthened by the fact that Vermeulen, who has been injured for the majority of the international season but is fit again, had recently openly criticised the South African Rugby Union in an interview where he questioned the way the game was being run South Africa.
However, Coetzee moved to squash those rumours.
“Duane called me up and said: ‘Coach, I wasn’t fit enough the last time I played for the Boks and my reputation took a knock. At this stage I don’t feel ready for international rugby’,” Coetzee said.
“Duane’s wife is also expecting their second child in November which is also one of the reasons why he isn’t available to tour with the Boks.”
