- Vermeulen has impressed with the Chiefs since joining them back in 2019
- The 29-year-old was born in South Africa but will qualify to play for England
- He is yet to have contact with Borthwick but has ruled out a South Africa call-up
Exeter’s South African-born forward Jacques Vermeulen has targeted an England call this season after returning to Exeter in tip-top shape to try and impress Steve Borthwick.
Vermeulen joined the Sandy Park outfit in 2019 after leaving his homeland. Since then, he has impressed with the Chiefs, helping them to domestic and European titles.
The 29-year-old back-row will qualify to represent England at Test level next month under World Rugby’s five-year residency law. He is also currently applying for a British passport.
‘It (international rugby) is always in the back of my mind,’ Vermeulen said.
‘Normally in the summer I’d go out to South Africa and not do much! I’ll keep fit but I wouldn’t do a lot of gym work. This pre-season, with [England eligibility] in mind, I looked after myself and came back in good nick. First, I have to perform well enough to be selected. We’ll see what happens.’
Jacques Vermeulen has targeted an England call this season after impressing at Exeter
The 29-year-old back-row will qualify to represent England at Test level next month
Vermeulen’s hard edge and carrying ability in the pack make him exactly the sort of player national head coach Borthwick likes. He would certainly add to England’s forward resources and is eligible to be selected for the autumn series fixtures in November.
Vermeulen had played all of his rugby South Africa before heading to Exeter but now calls Devon home with his British partner Elizabeth and son Frederick.
He wants to see out his career in his adopted nation. Vermeulen has yet to have any direct contact with Borthwick but has ruled out a call from South Africa.
Vermeulen’s club boss – Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter – has told him to train especially hard ahead of the new season starting next month with a possible England call in mind.
‘I see myself here (England). That’s the plan,’ Vermeulen said.
‘If you perform well enough on the field, then age does not count. If you perform well enough to play for England, then you should. South Africa is well stocked in the back-row.
Me and my partner have this chat all the time. She says: “They (England) were obviously looking at you and you haven’t heard anything from South Africa.”
‘You’re going to work for the company that sees value in you. I see it like that. If England see me as a valuable asset to play for them, then I’ll back it and give my best.
South African-born Vermeulen is keen to impress England head coach Steve Borthwick
‘All my mates have said they’d fly over and come and watch me and support. My mates understand the situation. They’ve asked me for years, saying how I never had a shot with the Boks and asking if I got the opportunity in England, would I take it?’
The opening up of World Rugby’s eligibility laws has been seen as controversial in some quarters, but reflects the modern, multi-cultural and cross-border society we live in today.
England have had several South African-born players down the years – think Brad Barritt and Matt Stevens to name but two – and all four British nations use players who have qualified through residency or varying degrees of eligibility. Vermeulen would be far from alone in following suit.
He said: ‘Look at Scotland! I played Junior Springboks with Pierre Schoeman, Duhan van der Merwe and a few others. They’re mates. Those boys played with me back in South Africa, but it just shows you that the door is always open for new opportunities. Those boys have become Scottish household names. I don’t see it as any different for any other country.
‘Any opportunity you get to play international rugby you should take it.’
