Stefan Vermaak

EARLY LIFE

Stefan Vermaak was born on 12 May 1992 in South Africa. He attended Menlopark High School, where he served as head boy. He showed early talent in performance, winning Best Dramatic Monologue at the National Eisteddfod in 2009. He is a passionate sports athlete with experience in rugby, wrestling, hockey, and athletics. He later studied for a BCom in Marketing at the University of South Africa (UNISA) and has been based in Pretoria.

CAREER

Vermaak began his professional career in theatre at age 15 in 2007, playing one of the leading characters (Benjamin Komoeti) in Fiela se Kind, directed by Sandra Prinsloo. The production ran at the State Theatre, Carnival City, Artscape, and festivals including Inniebos and Aardklop. He also appeared in school productions such as Skandaal (directed by Liezl Nel) and performed as an MC at various functions. He appeared in a music video with Nedine Blom. On television, he is known for: Wouter in the long-running series Villa Rosa (2004–2016) Neil (starring role) in the kykNET drama Hartland (2011, 13 episodes) Pierre in High Rollers (Season 2) Daniël in Getroud met Rugby: Die Sepie (Season 3) Fanie Lombard in Elke Skewe Pot (2017) Eric in Binnelanders (Seasons 12–13) Quin in the TV movie Môre as ons groot is... (2016) Christo in the TV movie Vat ’n Kans: Liefde is net ’n brief weg (2019) His most internationally recognized film role is Oscar Fourie in Oliver Hermanus’s Moffie (2019), which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. In the film he portrayed a physical, easy-going, lady’s-man conscript whose biggest challenge during border service was being without girls. He has spoken about the emotional weight of the role and the film’s potential to challenge perspectives on homosexuality and apartheid-era military life. Other film credits include a role in Somer Son (2015).

Stefan Vermaak is a versatile South African performer known for both Afrikaans television work and his contribution to the critically acclaimed Moffie. He combines acting with entertainment and sports backgrounds and continues to work in South African film and television.