Bok veteran Duane Vermeulen's Test retirement confirmed: 'A true legend of the sport'

SA Rugby on Wednesday heaped praise on Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen, who has retired from international rugby.

The 37-year-old's illustrious Springbok career spanned 76 Tests over 11 seasons, with his most recent match being the 12-11 win over New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final in Paris.

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"Duane will forever be regarded as one of the real hard men of South African rugby - he was not only a formidable force for the Springboks, but also a multifaceted player who consistently delivered his best," SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said in a statement.

"As someone who preferred to operate away from the limelight, Duane was one of those players who never settled for second best and always gave everything he had to his team.

"He was a leader who captained South Africa in four Tests, but he also retired as the most-capped Springbok No 8 with two Rugby World Cup winners' medals - a wonderful achievement for a player who will be remembered as a true legend of the sport."

Thank you to one of the real hard men of South African rugby - more here: https://t.co/MVuEjI2kLI ????#Springboks #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/NF9vpWqznE

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Vermeulen, who hails from Mbombela in Mpumalanga, made his Test debut against Australia in Perth in 2012.

He also won the SA Rugby Player of the Year Award twice (2014 and 2020) and is among an elite club of only five players who have won the award more than once since the advent of professionalism: Schalk Burger (2004, 2011), Bryan Habana (2005, 2007, 2012), Fourie du Preez (2006, 2009), Jean de Villiers (2008, 2013) and Pieter-Steph