NO 8 Duane Vermeulen made his first media appearance after returning from France where he has been campaigning for Toulon and immediately had to deflect questions about the Springbok captaincy and his availability. Vermeulen was captain of the Stormers in 2015 under new Bok coach Allister Coetzee and there was a feeling that the pair would unite similarly at the Springboks in 2016. But Coetzee was unable to make Vermeulen captain‚ given the bruising No 8s contractual position at Toulon. SA Rugby have started tightening the net on selecting overseas-based players for the Boks. Making a French-based player Springbok captain was unthinkable. Vermeulen‚ though‚ refuted claims that Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal had tried to interfere with him joining the Springboks for the three-Test series against Ireland starting at Newlands on Saturday. “There was never a question about coming back. Staying in France [in June] was not even a consideration‚” Vermeulen said with a hint of irritation. “I said from the beginning that I want to play international rugby and if I’m allowed to represent my country‚ it doesn't matter where I am based‚ I will do it as best I can. “Everything is set out in my contract (with Toulon) and all I want to do is play for South Africa. It’s amazing to be here and I’m looking forward to the challenge with a new coach and a new team. A new era in Springbok rugbyThe Springboks will go into the June Test series against Ireland with a callow set of halfbacks, including uncapped flyhalf Garth April and scrumhalves Faf de Klerk and Nic Groom included in a 31-man squad. “I have no problem with the captaincy because it was not a decision that I had anything to do with. The coach and SA Rugby decided who they thought was the right man for the job‚ and I accept that. “Adriaan (Strauss) is a great captain who has led the Bull and the Cheetahs in Super Rugby. “He understands how things work at international level and I support him 100 per cent. If he feels he needs my support at any stage I will happily give it. There are no problems.” Vermeulen is set to start at No 8‚ beating Lions captain Warren Whiteley to the position. The Bok pack had an intense session away from the media’s prying eyes yesterday‚ hammering their lineout playbook in anticipation of some trickery from Ireland at the set piece. The last time the two sides met‚ in Dublin in 2014‚ Ireland stood back from the Boks when they attempted to maul from a lineout. The Irish earned penalties for their clever planning‚ as they effectively rendered the offside line obsolete. The Boks are planning for every scenario. “They did that (upset out maul) brilliantly in the last match in Dublin‚” assistant coach Johann van Graan said. “I thought we adapted well in the second half of that match‚ and even scored a try. There are new laws in the maul now; it’s got to be in contact with the jumper. So if they pull away‚ you can go. So that part of the game is different but I don’t know if they will come with that again. “We have prepared for it though. It’s always about adapting on the day. There are two different styles: the running around or hitting you. We’re prepared for anything.” - TMG Digital ..