Bulls boss Jake White opts for co-captains

NEWS: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has confirmed Marcell Coetzee and Ruan Nortje as co-captains who will lead the herd for the 2023/24 season.

Coetzee joined the Bulls from Ulster in 2021. Last year, he took a six-month-long sabbatical in Japan before returning to co-captain the side this season.

During Coetzee's absence lock Ruan Nortje led the Bulls franchise during the United Rugby Championship (URC) and European Champions Cup.

Nortje had a very mixed-bagged season as captain, recording defeats to Stormers and Sharks.

However, Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White revealed Nortje is up for the challenge, especially with Coetzee beside him.

"Marcell [Coetzee] and Ruan [Nortje] are experienced campaigners who understand the demands of playing in three competitions and they have done well in leading us over the last few seasons," White said.

"Ruan stepped up last season when Marcell took his sabbatical and when he returned, the two of them continued to collaborate until the end of the season.

“Fortunately for me, this was an easy decision to make because Marcell and Ruan truly embody what it means to be a Bulls player.

"They have tirelessly continued to serve our franchise with humility and hard work, upholding the values and virtues of our community.

“I know they will do well because they are also surrounded by a strong leadership group which they have been leaning on as well.”

White elaborates that the appointment of two leaders is an opportunity to manage the player load as well as reinforce a thriving leadership environment within the team.

“We are fortunate to also have a healthy base of players with quality traits and are emerging as leaders too, which is great for our future prospects,”

“Shared captaincy is an opportunity for us to balance the weight of responsibility on matchdays and extend how we are able to create depth in range for the whole group because they naturally bring unique dynamics through their leadership qualities,”

“They have been co-leading this side already, sharing their ideas and views and I think that the both of them will be a strong captaincy duo for us. Congratulations to the two of them and I know they will do us proud.”

The pair’s first assignment will be the United Rugby Championship Round One tie against Scarlets on Sunday.