Assistant coach Deon Davids has confirmed that fit-again Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen is in contention to face the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday.

“Duane is ready for selection, so he will be coming into contention for this week,” Davids told media on Monday in Johannesburg in the lead-up to the second showdown of 2022 between the arch-rivals.

“Duane is a quality player on and off the field and his knowledge and experience means a lot for the team. It is great knowing that we can fall back on a player of his calibre in such a big match. It’s fantastic for the team.”

Vermeulen, who missed the Wales series in July due to knee surgery, completed full training with the Boks last week before the Boks’ 26-10 victory over New Zealand in Nelspruit.

Davids also revealed that the Boks won’t call up replacements for scrumhalf Faf de Klerk (concussion) and right wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, who will miss South Africa’s trips to Australia and Argentina in the Rugby Championship after being handed a four-week ban for his red card in the win at Mbombela.

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Jaden Hendrikse replaced De Klerk in the first minute after the veteran halfback was stretchered off and has since been ruled out this week due to World Rugby’s concussion protocols.

“Faf and Kurt-Lee suffered from a concussion and they are following the World Rugby protocol in terms of that,” Davids said.

“Currently, the focus will be on the players that are here in the squad. Obviously, at nine, we’ve got Herschel [Jantjies], who has been there and we’ve also got Grant Williams and Cobus Reinach returning, who become possibilities.

“On the wing, you have utility players like Warrick Gelant, Damian Willemse or Jesse Kriel, guys that can fill that void as a result of their versatility.

“At this stage, that’s the way we’re looking at it.”

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Photo: Darren England/EPA