The blunt weapon with a sharp mind

Duane Vermeulen's rise to arguably the best No8 in world rugby appears to have been rapid, but it has actually been a gradual ascent.

After being named South African Player of the Year for 2014, which came after he made the five-man shortlist for the World Player of the Year, Vermeulen's stock is the rugby equivalent of Apple.

And being handed the Stormers captaincy for the 2015 season seems to have brought out more of Vermeulen's strengths.

His performance against the Bulls in week one was brilliant, but it was simply an extension of where he left off last season.

"Thor" - as he has become known on social media platforms - made two steals, one of which came at a crucial time deep in his own half. He scored a try as well in between typical solid defence and heroic, selfless ball-carrying.

Since making his Test debut in 2012, he has become integral to the Boks' success, which was never more evident than when he played through the pain of a damaged rib cartilage to earn the man-of-the-match award against the All Blacks at Ellis Park last year.

He might look like a sleepy giant, not always fully engaged in his surroundings, but when it comes to team tactics and decisions, he questions everything.

"Duane is a simple guy. There are no frills. He leads by example and the players can choose to follow or not," Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said.

"But he is a thinker about the game, and he thinks clearly under pressure. His management of the referee against the Bulls was excellent. Duane is an abrasive personality and he will challenge you. But it's always with the right intention."

And what makes him even more refreshing is that he seems incapable of peddling anything but the truth.

During last year's northern hemisphere tour, after the Boks had lost to Ireland, the coaching staff tried to deny there was any complacency that led to that defeat. But while assistant coach John McFarland was toeing the party line, Vermeulen - seated alongside - nodded in agreement with the inquisitor that the Boks were complacent.

"I think there was some complacency going into the Ireland game. After beating New Zealand, you start believing that this is where you're supposed to be and where you belong.

"But you have to pitch up every weekend. You can't beat the world champions and then think you're invincible."

Vermeulen, at 28, is in the prime of his career and is already an early candidate to lead the Boks at the World Cup if Jean de Villiers doesn't recover from his knee injury in time.

He has the respect of his teammates, and crucially of opponents. His ascent up rugby's slippery slope is nearly at its summit.