Rob Houwing | Boks have historic habit of solving a No 8 pickle

The sudden precariousness of iron figure Duane Vermeulen's presence for South Africa in the British and Irish Lions series simply cannot be understated.

Along with Eben Etzebeth – himself not yet a shoo-in, fitness wise – the rugged No 8 counts among the top two enforcers, by my book, in the Springbok pack.

Every forward unit worth its salt needs a scattering of such unyielding, in-your-face characters, so the player, nicknamed "Thor", missing all or even part of the three-Test series beginning on 24 July at Cape Town Stadium would be a savage blow to the host nation.