Springboks and Ulster fans lament Coetzee’s terrible luck

REACTION: After loose forward Marcell Coetzee was ruled out of the World Cup next month with an ankle injury, South Africa and Ulster fans have shown their sympathy after a number of injury-plagued years.

Ulster fans had been campaigning all season for the 28-year-old to make Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks squad, and their wishes were answered when he was selected for the Rugby Championship. It looked likely that he would make it to the World Cup, but he sustained an ankle injury last week against Argentina which will require surgery and will put him out for 12 weeks.

Fans at Ravenhill have experienced highs and lows since Coetzee arrived in 2016, as he only managed five starts in his first two seasons due to persistent knee injuries. However, he remained injury-free last season, and was rightfully handed a recall to the Springboks. But injury has struck again, and fans of his club and country have highlighted his terrible luck on Twitter.

After being overlooked by Heyneke Meyer for the 2015 World Cup, some fans fear that this was his last chance to compete in the global showcase, as he will be 32 come the 2023 tournament, and given what his body has been through, he may no longer be on the Test radar.

Ulster fans will be hoping that this injury will not keep him out too long, as they will hope that he will make the same impression next season as he did last.

This is what has been said:

The injury to Coetzee has also raised some questions amongst Springboks fans regarding the balance of the back row, as he could cover both flank and No.8. With Warren Whitely also looking like he will miss the World Cup, there are few options in the eight shirt behind Duane Vermeulen. However, fans also feel that this injury all but confirms Kwagga Smith’s place on the plane to Japan.

It is never nice to see anyone miss a World Cup through injury, but it is made worse knowing what Coetzee has been through over the past four years.

By Josh Raisey