Duane's return reunites terrifying World Cup-winning Bok back trio: 'The timing's perfect'

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi was champing at the bit to see what the back row reunion with Duane Vermeulen and Pieter-Steph du Toit, who last played together in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final in Yokohama, will deliver against the All Blacks this weekend.

Eighthman Vermeulen will play his first international this season after undergoing corrective knee surgery at the end of the United Rugby Championship.

The dynamite trio, armed to the nines with physicality, brawn and rugby IQ, has missed at least one member since the defeat of England in Japan, with Vermeulen and Du Toit suffering injuries at various junctures last year.

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Now they've returned in what is an ominous pack against New Zealand, who suffered in the forward battle in Mbombela last weekend.

"I actually didn't realise it. I thought we played together [in that time] because I played with Du Toit during the Lions series but Duane was injured then," Siya said.

"We found out earlier in the week, I think, but nothing has changed for us. It's the same game plan as we had during the World Cup and we expect the same from each other.

"I'm looking forward to it but it doesn't matter who I'm playing with; I have to deliver the same performance and make sure my job doesn't change.

"But having someone like Duane in the team, with that kind of experience, in an important game against the All Blacks, I need as many brains as I can have around me on the field."

Kolisi said Vermeulen and Du Toit had an uncanny ability to bounce straight back to the pace of international matches after layoffs and didn't need time to get warm.

"I'm keen to see what Duane can do because he hasn't played a lot. I know