Cape Town - Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen is reportedly set to end his stay at French club Toulon and return to South Africa.

French rugby publication L’Equipe claims that Vermeulen has confirmed that the current European season will be his final one for Toulon.

The report further states that Vermeulen will return to South Africa to play for the Stormers, who he left in 2015.

Vermeulen’s decision is said to be “dictated by his willingness to best prepare for the 2019 World Cup with the Springboks”.

Sport24 reported in December last year that SA Rugby’s new director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, was eager to lure Vermeulen back to South Africa.

The burly No 8 is expected to sign a dual contract with SA Rugby and the Stormers.

Erasmus looks set to take a hands on role with the Springboks this year and Vermeulen would be one of the front-runners to captain the Springboks.

The 31-year-old boasts 39 Test caps, but has only played four times for the Boks over the last two seasons.