Duane Vermeulen has been rated as one of the standout players in his position this year, despite having taken a backseat for the world champion Springboks.
According to fans on Ruck.co.uk, Vermeulen – who was omitted from the Boks’ end-of-year tour to Europe – is ranked as the fourth best eighthman on the planet for 2022.
MORE: Duane omission part of Bok plan
All Blacks star Ardie Savea, one of the front-runners for World Player of the Year, is top dog as the only other southern hemisphere player among six leading loose forwards.
Known for his big hits and brutal physicality, Ulster-based Vermeulen has started just two of his four Tests in 2022, with Jasper Wiese preferred at the back of the Bok scrum ahead of the 2019 World Cup hero.
WATCH: Roos sad at Vermeulen’s absence
Wiese and the dynamic URC duo of Evan Roos and Elrigh Louw have shot the lights for Leicester Tigers, DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls, respectively, and are on the shortlist to succeed Vermeulen in the Bok No 8 jersey.
Fans’ top No 8s in 2022:
6. Alex Dombrandt (England)
5. Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
4. Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)
3. Caelan Doris (Ireland)
2. Gregory Alldritt (France)
1. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix
