DHL Stormers No.8 and captain Duane Vermeulen consulted a neurosurgeon on Monday, after he was withdrawn from the past weekend’s Vodacom Super Rugby clash against the Lions with a severe neck spasm.

Vermeulen suffered an intense spasm in his neck after last Friday’s captain’s run, with an MRI showing a bulging disc at a C5 level.

However, the DHL Stormers and Springbok star consulted a neurosurgeon on Monday and the prognosis was positive ahead of the upcoming Vodacom Super Rugby play-offs, with the DHL Stormers set to host either a quarter- or semifinal in the coming weeks.

DHL Stormers team doctor, Dr Jason Suter, explained on the iamastormer.com website: “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.”