Marcell Coetzee is gearing up for an emotional return to Kings Park this Saturday as the Vodacom Bulls take on the Sharks in a high-stakes Vodacom URC derby.
“There’s nothing else in the world like an SA derby,” said Coetzee on Wednesday.
The encounter holds extra significance for Coetzee, a former Sharks stalwart who spent five seasons in Durban, making 74 appearances before joining the Bulls.
“That’s where my career started, and John Plumtree was the first coach I made my debut for, so you’ll always have that connection,” he reflected. “I went to school there, but I’ve loved my time in Pretoria. My dad and I were always Bulls supporters.
This weekend, it will be personal, but for reasons relating to the team and what we want to achieve this season.
Coetzee
Derby Day Stakes
The Bulls are looking to bounce back after a disappointing Champions Cup loss to Northampton Saints. Coetzee knows his team will need to tighten up at the breakdown against a Sharks side featuring Springbok heavyweights Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth.
“The Saints exposed us at the ruck, worked well defensively, and isolated runners from their support,” Coetzee admitted. “We will have to be sharper in the contest – a guy like Siya Kolisi loves to impose himself at the breakdown, and we know Eben Etzebeth will want to make his mark physically as well.”
With the Bulls sitting third on the URC table and the Sharks riding a three-match URC win streak, Coetzee believes this derby will be decisive for both teams’ ambitions.
Emptying the Tank
“This is our last game of the year, and we need to empty the tank,” Coetzee emphasized. “The margins in the URC are so small. Whether you are in eighth place or first, you really need to step up.
If you want to be successful in this competition, you need to win the derbies.
Coetzee
For Coetzee, the clash against his former team is a perfect opportunity for the Bulls to reset and end the year on a high.