Vermeulen looking forward to clash with future Bok star Roos

For the last 10 years, Duane Vermeulen has owned the Springbok 8 shirt.

The Ulster back row turns 36 next month, but even at that age he still has a huge influence on the game, having fitted in well since his move to Belfast in December.

He will still more than likely be part of Rassie Erasmus's squad for their summer Test series against Wales, and subsequent Rugby Championship, as he targets one more World Cup before retirement in 2023.

His place in the Springbok team isn't certain anymore though, and it's not through any fault of his own.

Evan Roos is the new kid in town, and while Erasmus had held out on calling up the 22-year-old for the last year, his URC form has been impossible to ignore, with the Stormers number 8 recently drafted into the Springboks training squad ahead of the upcoming Test window.

Roos has been the form eight of the season, leading the league in both successful carries and defenders beaten, and that combination of power and grace saw him named the 'Next Gen Star of the Season' for the United Rugby Championship.

Tomorrow, master comes up against apprentice in Cape Town, as Vermeulen and Roos (below) pack down at the back of their respective scrums for Ulster and the Stormers, Vermeulen himself returning to the club he spent six years with earlier in his career.

"There's big talk about him and he's an exceptional player, he plays well in the Stormers set-up, he’s a big ball-carrier for them," the Ulster veteran said of his fellow South African.

However, while many are predicting Roos to be Vermeulen's long-term replacement with the Boks, the 35-year-old says that's where the comparisons end.

"We play completely different styles, he’s out running in the backline from lineouts and things like that where I’m