GOODBYE ON A HIGH

After 19 years Duane Vermeulen has hung up his boots with the dream ending hed hoped for. He tells YOU about his bittersweet triumph in Paris and how he's looking forward to spending more time with his family

- MARELIZE GRBICH

HEISN'T ashamed to admit he had trouble holding back the tears when the final whistle blew, signalling the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup - and the end of his career.

It was tough stuff, Duane Vermeulen admits. The days leading up to the final were all about "lasts": the last Monday practice, the last Tuesday practice, then the last day before his last game as a professional - everything was a reminder that his glory days on the field were drawing to a close.

"At one point I wondered if I was going to make it, the 37-year-old Bok stalwart says. "It was one hell of an emotional roller-coaster. And then you still have to play in the final, after winning the previous two games by just one point.

"When it was over everything just burst. It's funny how emotional you become as you get older."

Ending on such a high note was the best way to bid farewell to the game he has given his all to, the towering eighth says.

"Winning the world cup and closing the chapter like this with my wife and children present was like coming full circle. It made everything worth it."

After the game he got to say his goodbyes to his teammates. "It's hard to stand there in front of the guys and say your last words - you want to say something meaningful."

The experience was so overwhelming he can't even remember what he said but one thing is for sure: South African rugby fans won't forget Duane in a hurry.

WHEN he decided to retire after the world cup in Paris his wife, Ezél (39), asked him, "Are you at peace?".

He was, he told Ezél, who's been his partner for 18 years and his wife for a decade. He had "one or two offers" that made him question his decision to bow out of the game but in the end he knew it was time to go. His family were more important than prolonging his career.