Vermeulen Reveals Why He Didn't Sign For The Stormers

Springbok looseforward Duane Vermeulen signed for the Bulls for the 2019 Super Rugby season instead of returning to his former side the Stormers after leaving Top 14 side Toulon. 

Vermeulen had a short stint in the Top League in Japan before returning to South Africa ahead of the 2019 Super Rugby season.

After confirming that he would leave Toulon at the end of the 2017/18 season Vermeulen was linked with a move back to the Stormers, the team he played for between 2009 and 2015, but ultimately signed with the Bulls. 

The 32-year-old has since confirmed that WPRFU (Western Province Rugby Football Union) president Theo Wakefield told him that the Stormers wanted to invest in their youth rather than sign him for the 2019 season.

‘The Bulls were the first team to reach out to me last year,’ Vermeulen told Netwerk24. ‘I felt it was the right thing to do, especially after Thelo Wakefield told me that the Stormers would rather invest in their young players.

‘I accepted it and moved on. The Bulls indicated that I could have a role to play here and when you get such a chance, you have to take it.’