Duane Vermeulen, born July 3, 1986, is a South African professional rugby union player who plays for the national team.
He is a formidable force in the rugby world, known for his hard-hitting style and tireless work ethic.
You can follow Duane Vermeulen’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, and more here.
Duane Vermeulen’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Duane Vermeulen’s net worth is estimated to be $2 million. The Springboks loose forward’s prime source of earnings is his South Africa rugby union salary, club salaries, and sponsorship deals.
Salary and Career Earnings
As of 2023, Vermeulen is reported to be among the highest-paid players in the Springbok squad, with his salary increasing from R800,000 to R1 million per year. This translates to approximately $600,000 per year.
While playing for French team Toulon in the Top 14, Vermeulen earned €600K. However, when he moved to Ulster Rugby, he took a 10-15% pay cut.
Despite this, he is still considered one of the highest-paid players at Ulster Rugby, with an estimated earning of at least £450K.
| Club/Team | Salary |
| Top 14 (Toulon) | €600K |
| Ulster Rugby | £450K |
Endorsements
Duane Vermeulen has been associated with several brands throughout his career. He is a brand ambassador for Marianne Wines, a renowned wine brand based in South Africa.
In addition to Marianne Wines, Vermeulen has endorsed Eskom, a South African electricity public utility.
About Duane Vermeulen
| Full Name | Daniel Johannes “Duane” Vermeulen |
| Nickname | Thor |
| Date of Birth | July 3, 1986 |
| Place of Birth | Nelspruit, South Africa |
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | 123 kg (271.17 lb) |
| Nationality | South African |
| Current Net Worth | $2 million |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Ezel Vermeulen |
| Instagram Profile | @customs08 |
Born in Nelspruit, South Africa, Daniel Johannes “Duane” Vermeulen has become one of the foremost back-rowers in the international game.
His journey in rugby began at a young age, and he has since established himself as a key player in the sport.
Club Career
Vermeulen has had an illustrious club career, playing for several teams, including Ulster Rugby in the United Rugby Championship, Vodacom Blue Bulls, the Pumas, Free State Cheetahs, and Western Province in South African domestic rugby, the Cheetahs, Stormers, and Bulls in Super Rugby, and Toulon in the Top 14.
He has also played abroad for French team Toulon and Japan’s Kubota Spears.
At the provincial level, Vermeulen has won the Currie Cup twice, in 2007 with the Cheetahs and in 2012 with Western Province.
Springboks Career
Vermeulen debuted for the South African national team, the Springboks, in 2012. Since then, he has earned 63 South African Test Caps.
He played a crucial role in leading the national team to victory at the Rugby World Cup in 2019, where he was awarded the “Man of The Match” for his invaluable contribution.
As of 2023, Vermeulen aims to finish his Springbok career on a high note. In the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Vermeulen helped the Springboks beat France in the quarter-final.
Wife
Duane Vermeulen is married to Ezel Vermeulen. Unlike many wives of famous athletes, Ezel Vermeulen does not live her life in the public eye.
The couple got married in 2012 and have two sons together. Ezel runs a dance business in Cape Town.
They are blessed with two sons – Arnu and Zian.
Career Stats
| Year | Team | Matches Played | Matches Started | Minutes Played | Tries | Points |
| 2014 | Stormers | 16 | 16 | 1221 | 1 | 5 |
| 2015 | Stormers | 11 | 11 | 862 | 2 | 10 |
| 2019 | Bulls | 19 | 19 | 1056 | 2 | 10 |
| Total | – | 123 | 119 | 9360 | 10 | 50 |
FAQs
Who is Duane Vermeulen?
Duane Vermeulen is a former South African rugby player born on July 3, 1986, in Nelspruit (now Mbombela). He played as a number 8 and flanker for the South African national team (Springboks) and various club teams. He’s known for his physical style of play, tactical awareness, and leadership on the field.
What are Duane Vermeulen’s biggest achievements?
Vermeulen won two Rugby World Cups with South Africa in 2019 and 2023. He was named Man of the Match in the 2019 World Cup final. He also won the SA Rugby Player of the Year award twice (2014 and 2020) and was nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year in 2014.
What teams has Duane Vermeulen played for?
Throughout his career, Vermeulen played for several teams, including the Pumas, Cheetahs, Stormers, Western Province, Toulon in France, Kubota Spears in Japan, Bulls, and Ulster in Ireland. He also represented South Africa 76 times at the international level.
When did Duane Vermeulen retire?
Vermeulen announced his retirement from all rugby on November 8, 2023, shortly after winning his second Rugby World Cup with South Africa.
What made Duane Vermeulen such a special player?
Vermeulen was known for his physicality, work rate, and ability to impact games all over the pitch. He was excellent at carrying the ball, making tackles, and winning turnovers. His leadership and rugby intelligence were also highly valued by teammates and coaches.
Did Duane Vermeulen face any major challenges in his career?
Yes, Vermeulen faced several injuries throughout his career. He missed out on the 2011 Rugby World Cup due to injuries and had a serious health scare in 2018 when he needed emergency surgery for a burst appendix.
What records does Duane Vermeulen hold?
Vermeulen retired as the most-capped Springbok number 8. He and Theuns Stofberg are the only players to have won the Currie Cup (a South African domestic competition) with three teams.
Is Duane Vermeulen married?
Yes, Vermeulen is married to Ezel Vermeulen. They have two sons named Anru and Zian.
What are Duane Vermeulen’s plans after retirement?
While not officially confirmed, there have been strong hints that Vermeulen might move into coaching. He’s expressed interest in participating in rugby and contributing to the sport.
What’s an interesting fact about Duane Vermeulen’s background?
Vermeulen grew up playing cricket and was talented enough to potentially pursue it professionally. He only started focusing solely on rugby in his mid-teens. Also, his father passed away when Duane was only 10 or 11 years old, which had a significant impact on his life.
