Duane Vermeulen has warned his side to be wary of the threat Scottish ‘magician’ Finn Russell possesses ahead of the Springboks’ World Cup opener against Scotland at Orange Velodrome on Sunday.

Last month, the Springboks beat their fellow three-time world champions New Zealand 35-7 at Twickenham, which was their worst loss ever. On Sunday, both teams will play their first game of the season.

But they are in a tough pool with the number one team in the world, Ireland, a strong team from Tonga, and a team from Scotland that can do anything.

Stuart Hogg has retired, but the Scots still have Russell, who is one of the most creative players in the game.

Vermeulen, who was named Man of the Match in the 2019 final when the Boks beat England 32–12, said that Scotland’s fly-half will get more time to prepare for the game in Marseille.

“Scotland love to play on quick ball and Finn Russell is the kingpin in that position,” Vermeulen said at a press conference.

“He’s a magician with ball in hand. He’s got a massive playbook in his head and is just a fantastic individual player.

“It’s a guy we really have to sit down and have video sessions (on) and have a look at what he does.”

Vermeulen, who is 37 years old, says he often thought he wouldn’t play in another World Cup after getting hurt several times after the Springboks won the 2019 final in Japan.

“Just before I joined Ulster (in 2021) I was in a tough spot, the body was acting up,” he said.

“I thought maybe I should have called it (his international retirement) back in 2019. The coaches reassured me to play on.

“It’s that last bit of energy that’s in you and you know you want to push and finish on a high, so that’s where I am at the moment.”

Photo by EPA/KIM LUDBROOK