As the dust settled on the Vodacom Bulls massive victory over Stade Francais last weekend, there were a few figures sitting and breathing the atmosphere in.
And it was clear that nobody in that stadium was happier than Bulls flanker Marcell Coetzee, who stood alongside his wife Chanel and their baby, and Coetzee’s proud parents, after he crossed another milestone of 50 caps for the club he plays for.
Coetzee, who played over 100 times for the Sharks, and 57 times for Ulster, added the Bulls half century to his CV this past weekend and described it as a massive honour as he has been a Bulls fan ever since he was in school.
“Every 50 that you achieve in your career, it’s a massive honour and privilege,” Coetzee said.
“But in particular for the Bulls, a team that I’ve supported from a young age. To stand there afterwards, with the result going our way, the team made it very special – with your family, your baby, your wife.
“You can’t put that into words: it’s just an extremely proud moment. You reflect on how far you’ve come as a player. A guy coming from Port Natal, you always have dreams and aspirations to play rugby, and you never knew where the road is going to take you.”
FOCUS ON THE LIONS
Coetzee knows the win over Stade kept the Bulls alive in the EPCR competitions, and they face a tough away trip to Bayonne in France in the next round. But for now the focus is on the massive Jukskei derby against a Lions side coming off a 50 point victory over the Dragons at home.
Coetzee knows the trip across the Jukskei won’t be easy and knows his side will need to be at their best if they are to come out on top.
“They’ve got threats all over the park and it’s about matching that in those areas, but to make a full 80-minute game we have to go the full 80 to be successful against these guys,” Coetzee said.
“We as South Africans, we’re really proud of our unions and heritages and I think it’s always a bit spicy and a bit more of an extra punch to a derby game, and not just this game but all around the board.
“You want to be top of your conference and that just adds to the spice and fuel for this game.”
Coetzee also was very optimistic that the Bulls could challenge for the EPCR Challenge Cup trophy despite a tough draw.
“It’s great to still be in the hunt for the Challenge Cup. The hunger will still be there to go full out there. In the URC with two games in hand we can still catch up with the teams above us. We’re sitting in a good position.
“It’s unfortunate to fall out of the Champions Cup but this gives us another opportunity for two trophies, and we’ll be competitive in both formats. How the management juggles the squads and their approach, we’ll leave that in their hands and back them whatever they decide.”