Duane Vermeulen cleared to play on after neck spasms

South Africa No 8 Duane Vermeulen has been given the green light to resume playing after suffering worrying neck spasms.

Vermeulen had been considered a potential doubt for the World Cup after suffering the spasms during the captain's run last Friday ahead of the Stormers' Super Rugby clash with the Lions in Cape Town.

But after consulting a specialst, the Springboks' Player of the Season has been given good news.

Stormers doctor Jason Suter said: “Duane Vermeulen saw a neurosurgeon today (Monday) and the neurosurgeon has given us the positive feedback that he continues to improve and that he still shows no signs of specific nerve root irritation.

“After reviewing the MRI with his radiology colleagues, the neurosurgeon is confident that the disc bulge is old and has not changed from previous scans, and is not the cause of the severe spasm. He has recommended no surgical management and Duane will undergo extensive physiotherapy over the next ten days.

“The neurosurgeon has also indicated that there is no risk of exacerbating the injury and feels that Duane will be able to play in the Super Rugby play-offs.

“The DHL Stormers medical team will continue to manage him, and he will obtain a second neurosurgical opinion tomorrow (Tuesday) to ensure he is given all possible input to his injury and its management.”