Duane Vermeulen to leave Toulon

Duane Vermeulen will leave Toulon at the end of the season and return to South Africa with the Stormers reported to have secured his services ahead of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Club owner, Mourad Boudjellal, confirmed the departure and the influential No. 8 is now expected to sign a dual contract with SA Rugby and WP Rugby.

Vermeulen left Cape Town in 2015 to join the Top 14 side, spending three seasons with the European giants, but his willingness to help the Springboks prepare for the World Cup will see him head back home.

It now appears Vermeulen is one of the favourites to captain the Boks as former Munster mentor Rassie Erasmus looks set to place his faith in the 39-times capped forward.