Springboks wary of Scottish 'magician' Russell, says Vermeulen

South Africa have to do their homework on Scotland's "kingpin" Finn Russell if the defending champions are not to have a nasty shock in their Rugby World Cup opener, the experienced Duane Vermeulen said on Tuesday.

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The Springboks go into Sunday's opening match for both teams after inflicting the heaviest defeat ever on their fellow three-time world champions New Zealand last month with a 35-7 win at Twickenham.

However, they are in a tough pool with world-ranked number one Ireland, a robust Tonga side and an unpredictable Scottish outfit.

The Scots may be without the now retired Stuart Hogg but in Russell they possess one of the great creative forces in the game.

Vermeulen, man of the match in the 2019 final when the Boks steamrollered England 32-12, said additional time will be devoted to Scotland's flyhalf in their preparations for the game in Marseille.

"Scotland love to play on quick ball and Finn Russell is the kingpin in that position," Vermeulen said at a press conference.

"He's a magician with ball in hand. He's got a massive playbook in his head and is just a fantastic individual player.

"It's a guy we really have to sit down and have video sessions [on] and have a look at what he does."

Vermeulen, 37, admits he often thought he would not appear at another World Cup after he suffered a succession of injuries following the Springboks' victory in the 2019 final in Japan.

"Just before I joined Ulster (in 2021) I was in a tough spot, the body was acting up," he said.

"I thought maybe I should have called it (his international retirement) back in 2019. The coaches reassured me to play on.

"It's that last bit of energy that's in you