There’s a lesson for Evan Roos in the mentality of Springbok veteran Duane Vermeulen, according to Stormers coach John Dobson.

Roos was named Man of the Match after the Stormers No 8 contributed to a nail-biting win over second-placed Ulster at Cape Town Stadium in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

In the build-up to the match, the media hyped the looming clash between Vermeulen and Roos, touted by some as a potential heir to the Bok No 8 jersey.

Roos made his presence felt by smashing Vermeulen backwards in a big tackle in the first half. That was the start of a workmanlike performance which helped the Stormers to a vital win.

However, speaking after the match, Dobson said that Vermeulen’s attitude and never-say-die competitiveness should serve as an example to Roos.

“I understand the Duane versus Evan hype,” Dobson said.

“I thought Evan worked really hard. He almost epitomised our performance, in that he worked hard and showed lots of guts and did some good things but, and I don’t want to sound negative, there are things he can still get better at.

“What I will pay tribute to is Duane Vermeulen. He is coming from a club he has been at for so long, he comes here and plays, but he competes for everything. He was visibly disappointed after that game. Everything was a contest with him.

“That’s a lesson for all. Evan could learn from, not technically so much, but that spirit of Duane. Everything was a battle.”

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