Due to an ankle injury in the Rainbow Cup series, Vermeulen, missed out on playing against Georgia, the British & Irish Lions and the two Tests against Argentina.

Vermeulen’s presence will definitely missed on the field, however, Jasper Wiese, was thrown in the deep end and he pass the test with flying colours.

Speaking from Queensland where the Boks are based for the remainder of the Championship, Vermeulen, said that he just was not at a level where he could have faced the Lions, and he would have let the team down if he had played.

“It was a tough one to miss out on the Lions series, it was the one other bucket-list item that I really wanted to tick off.

“My injury was a bit more severe than everyone thought and although I hoped to get back on the field for the first Test, I just wasn’t ready in time.

“I had to go to Jacques Nienaber and let him know I would have dropped the team if he put me out on the field.

“It was a tough decision, but definitely the correct one at that stage just to ensure I recovered and could be ready and fit for the next games.

“But I was fortunate to be part of the squad and next to the field for the final game of the series.

“The transition after being water boy for a couple of weeks really got me pumped up, and now I’m just so looking forward to getting back on the pitch and playing my part within the squad.”

The Springboks face the Wallabies next Sunday in Gold Coast in the first Test between the two countries in more than two years.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport