Vodacom Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee may be heading for Japan, but he has left Loftus Versfeld temporarily by committing the remainder of his career to the Bulls.
Coetzee signed until 2027 - after he was already secured until 2024 - before he leaves on his sabbatical to play rugby in Japan until May.
The inspirational Bulls captain joining the Bulls in June 2021 and has made 33 appearances for them already in a short time span, leading the side to the final of the first Vodacom United Rugby Championship season.
Coetzee said his love for the Pretoria side made it an easy decision to stay.
“It was a no brainer, I really love playing for the Vodacom Bulls. I believe we are on a path towards something special and one wants to be part of a team that is destined to hit their heights pretty soon. The side has a lovely bunch of guys,” Coetzee said.
Coetzee has said that he has no other intentions but to return to Pretoria post his six-month-long sabbatical in Japan.
“The weekend may have been my last match for the Vodacom Bulls, but I will return at the back end of April come 2023. I missed my country a lot during my five years at Ulster so I know I am coming back after this short journey,” he explained.
Coetzee will be playing for the Kobe Steelers during his time in Japan.