Two former Hoërskool Nelspruit pupils face each other in Rugby World Cup quarter-final

Two former Hoërskool Nelspruit (NHS) pupils, Duane Vermeulen and Wimpie van der Walt, will face each other in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final at the Tokyo Stadium in Japan on Sunday, Lowvelder reports.

Both were brought up by single mothers, often under very difficult circumstances. They have both become men of exceptional character.
Duane has been selected as eighthman for the Springboks and Wimpie is on the bench for Japan, and will come on as a loose-forward replacement during the match.

It is a very proud occasion for Hoërskool Nelspruit, which will have two former first team players, both loose-forwards, on the field on Sunday.

When Japan played South Africa in a World Cup warm-up match at Kumagaya Stadium on September 6, Duane played at number 8 for the Boks, but Wimpie was not selected for Japan.

Duane attended Laerskool Nelspruit where he first learned his rugby. He then was a pupil at Hoërskool Nelspruit from 2000 to 2005. In 2004 and 2005 he played for the Pumas Craven Week team.

In 2006 to 2007 he played 26 matches for the senior Pumas team.

Wimpie learned his rugby in the colours of Komatipoort Akademie and then attended Hoërskool Nelspruit from 2002 to 2005. In his grade 9 year, he represented the Pumas at the Craven Week. The following year he was contracted the Western Province Rugby Academy and did not matriculate at NHS.

In the 2009 and 2010 seasons Duane and Wimpie were teammates in the Western Province senior team.

Lowvelder contacted Wimpie’s mother Rina, on comment concerning her son’s achievements.  When asked if she had a message for Lowvelder’s online readers, she immediately teared up.

Rina explained that she was a single mum, and times were very tough when she brought up Wimpie, his two brothers and sister. Wimpie is the youngest.

Their father abandoned the family when Wimpie was five years old.

“I just want to thank the (Komatipoort) community. I was a single mother; we battled, but with much perseverance we came out on top. The people supported us in so many ways. I am so grateful. To Harry van Dyk (who helped Wimpie with his rugby) I am eternally grateful,“ she said.

She also proudly stated that she will be supporting Japan on Sunday.

Growing up in the Lowveld

Duane was also brought up by a single mum. His father passed away when he was seven year old.

Duane’s mother, Estalien, is presently in Durbanville with Duane’s  wife Ezel, her grandchildren, her daughter and future son-in-law. They are all going to watch the match together Sunday on television.

“The Springboks must play their hearts out. To the team – enjoy it and you will win. You will bring the trophy home. I know Duane will give everything – that is the way he’s always been,” she said.

Faf de Klerk, who attended Laerskool Bergland, will start at scrum half for the Boks in the quarter-final.

Vincent Koch, who played 51 matches for the Phakisa Pumas from 2012 to 2016, will be on the bench and will come on as a replacement tighthead prop.