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Duane: Boks sidestep sideshows

While the trade unions, pseudo politicians, demagogues and others grandstanders were shouting from the rooftops, the Boks quietly went about their business.

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In between they also had to deal with a raft of injuries threatening to rule a number of key players out of the global showpiece, which gets underway in England next week.

Veteran loose forward Duane Vermeulen, who hasn't played since surgery in June for a neck injury that resurfaced, said the team only focussed on their 'job' and sidestepped all the off-field and other issues.

Vermeulen said all the media hype around the ages of some senior players, the injuries that stole a fair portion of the spotlight and the political fall-out over the make-up (non-transformation) of the squad was not part of their focus.

"This is the 31-man squad that was selected and everyone has to back each other," Vermeulen, 29, said of the team that will depart for England on Friday.

"Hopefully the whole South Africa back the team going over.Duane: Boks sidestep sideshows

"Yes, there are some more experienced guys and some older guys. However, coming the first game against Japan [on September 19] everyone will be available and ready to go."

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The 29-times capped Bok said there is a great vibe in the squad.

"Everyone is pumped up and ready to go," Vermeulen told a media scrum at the team's training base in Johannesburg, adding that all the off-field issues were not a distraction.

"Luckily our focus is on the games we have to play," he said, adding: "We have 31 guys [in the squad] and we will have 23 guys available for the first game.

"It doesn't matter who slots in where, those 23 guys that represents South Africa will do their utmost to win the game.

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"The injuries or [issues] on the side were never our main focus.

"We want to go there [to England] and win a World Cup. All we can do is go out there and do our best."

Having completed his rehabilitation from the neck surgery, Vermeulen admitted that at times doubt had set in over his availability to be fit in time for the World Cup.

But at no stage was he ready to give up the fight.

"I am ready and fit to go," he told the media scrum.

"I can't wait to get on the pitch and just play a game."

Back to his regular weight, he said he is happy with his conditioning ahead of his maiden World Cup appearance.

"Some days you feel that your are not ready and perhaps should not be here, but I am very happy and glad I am in the squad."

While there was a lot of exercises he did during his rehabilitation, he admitted taking contact on the field is what he craves most.

"From this week everything will fall into place and I can make contact. I may take it a little easy at the breakdown sessions, otherwise it is full contact on the field."

And the opening game is the perfect opportunity to make his comeback.

"Luckily the Japanese aren't like the Samoans that goes in high, they [Japan] tackle nice and low. It would be a good game to make my return.

"It doesn't matter what game you get, we are preparing ourselves for the first game which is Japan and we'll take it from there."

@rugby365com

Duane: Boks sidestep sideshows

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