IT’S bound to go down as one of the most enduring images of the world cup: hulking Duane Vermeulen – all 1,93m and 117kg of him – sobbing his eyes out after the Boks won the tournament.
The moment was especially memorable because it was so unexpected – just minutes earlier the determined loose forward had been tearing down the pitch in Yokohama, Japan, unleashing bone-crunching tackles that stopped his England opponents in their tracks. But then there he stood, tears streaming down his cheeks.
Duane (33) later revealed what had made him cry – it was something assistant coach Matt Proudfoot had said to him. As they embraced at the end of the match, Matt whispered in his ear, “This was for him.”
He was referring to the star player’s father. Even though André Vermeulen died when Duane was a boy he’s never far from his thoughts. More than anything Duane wished his dad could be there to share this proud moment and see him being awarded man of the match in a world cup final. And Matt understood this.
“That’s something special to hear from a coach, and when he said that, the tears started rolling and I just couldn’t stop them,” Duane says.
Half a world away in the packed Mustangs bar in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, there was somebody who knew exactly what was going through his mind.
Estelien Vermeulen’s cheeks were also wet with tears after she’d watched her son play the match of his career.
“A mom’s heart can’t bear it. I know what the saying ‘bursting with pride’ means now,” she says.
Ironically, the thing that’s bringing Estelien so much joy is the same thing that once stripped her of hope. Just like her son, her husband was a talented player – but he was cut down by cancer in his prime 25 years ago.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 21 November 2019 من YOU South Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 21 November 2019 من YOU South Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST
With more and more of us struggling with our mental health, here's a common-sense guide to coping with life's ups and downs
SPUD: THE MAGIC CONTINUES
John van de Ruit tells us why he decided to write a sequel - and shares how his first book helped him find enduring love
SEX CONTRACT GONE WRONG
A Cape Town couple have been charged with using a young woman as a sex slave-but some say she lost the job she signed up for and now has a grudge against them
LIAM LAID TO REST
More than a month after One Direction singer LIAM PAYNE (31) tragically fell to his death from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his loved ones finally got to say their goodbyes.
SHILOH HANGS OUT
THE two young women look like any pair of good friends chatting and laughing as they leave their dance class in Los Angeles.
LEO IN LOVE
He's just turned 50 and it seems Leonardo DiCaprio may finally be ready to settle down
PACKING A PUNCH
Irish actor Paul Mescal beefed up for his role in the blockbuster epic Gladiator II - and fans are loving it
I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD
As the illegitimate daughter of the king, she fought to be recognised as part of Belgium's royal family, but Princess Delphine says she still feels unwelcome
'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'
A bite from a spitting cobra 13 years ago nearly killed her but Mikayla survived - and she's made peace with her scars
THE CLAWS ARE OUT!
Things have grown frosty between the Beckhams and the Sussexes as Becks comes out in clear support of William
