The Vodacom Bulls will welcome back their former captain - Marcell Coetzee - to Loftus Versftoday but there is no indication whether he will be available for selection of Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town.
Coetzee completed his six month sabattical in Japan this past week and left Japan on Sunday, arriving home on Monday night and it is understandable that the Bulls would want him back in action as quickly as possible, but with jetlag and such a big match it could easily be considered a risk to play him within days of arriving back in the country.
Speaking before his departure from Japan, Coetzee said he was waiting word on where he would play and would only know once he arrives at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday.
“I’ve got to see where I stand with the coaching team, because they have the players and their loose trio has been in great form of late,” Coetzee said.
“I’m happy to arrive back and find my feet again in the squad setting wherever they can use me. Then you wait to hear where the coach needs you and what he expects from you. You always want to serve the team and do whatever is in their best interests.
“I know there is no player whose place is assured in the Bulls team and you need to earn it. That’s the attitude I will arrive at Loftus Versfeld with. I need to earn my place wherever they want me to play. The team did incredibly well without me to get to the playoffs, especially given where they were at one stage.
“That all comes back to the culture within the team. The guys would never take it lying down for too long and they found ways to adapt from the setbacks they had and from Jake’s (White) absence).
“The good thing is that a bunch of the younger guys needed to step up and become leaders in the team and that’s a very healthy thing if you think of the road ahead. I’m very proud of how they stood up under the pressure.”
Coetzee said he is excited to be back and working with the current Bulls captain Ruan Nortje again, who he believes did a good job in his absence.
“I’m excited to get back to Pretoria. That’s my home now, and I love the city and its people, the passion among the supporters. It’s a place where I want to be for a long time, that’s why I signed until 2027.
“We’re busy building something special. It would always have been difficult for a new captain, and there were circumstances beyond his control, but the guys have turned ths hip around under Ruan.
“He has been a very good captain and has led them well. The last two games against Zebre and Leinster show you what can be achieved under pressure. The Bulls have a strong culture and he brought them together in tough times.
“There’s nothing like bad times to test a bond between players and the way they pulled together to make the playoffs was exceptional. Ruan and I spoke almost every week about where the team was and how he can get better as a leader. That’s the relationship we have, and we’re big mates off the field. We support each other and I can’t wait to get back into that culture again.”
Coetzee enjoyed his time in Japan, but kept an eye on proceedings in Europe and the URC and believes more patience is needed when it comes to adapting to European Cup competitions.
“It was always going to be tough in the first year. I don’t think people realise how tough that tournament is. I played in it for three years and can tell you it is one of the toughest competitions I’ve ever been in. It’s tough to think you will dominate in year one.
“I think what is definitely apparent is the importance of home ground advantage for the knockout rounds. You need to get the points in the pool phases to make sure you have the best chance.
“There will always be a debate about finances and it is difficult to compete with the bigger clubs in the world. But at the end of the day it is about producing a side with enough depth and experience to give yourself a chance at success.
“If you take Leinster, they’ve been in virtually every final with experienced players that play for them and Ireland. Every team has the opportunity to develop that sort of experience, to put that infrastructure in place, but for South Africans it will always be a bit more difficult with the financial incentives overseas for players.
“I’m sure all the teams have learnt lessons and will identify areas that they will be better and sharper next season. But the bottom line is we need to host those knockout games in South Africa. Why? Because It’s always lekkerder in South Africa.”