Bulls' leadership in good hands as Coetzee says goodbye

SPOTLIGHT: Marcell Coetzee is confident the Bulls will have a strong leadership group when he is away in Japan.

Sunday's United Rugby Championship match against the Sharks in Pretoria will be Coetzee's last for the Bulls this year before he joins Kobe Steelers for the upcoming Japan League One season.

Coetzee will rejoin the Bulls next year once his commitments with the Steelers are over.

The 31-year-old has been a strong leader for the Bulls on the field and his absence will be a big blow. However, plans have been put in place ahead of his departure.

"Before the season started, I chatted with Jake [White] and he said that we have to look at a successor and we identified a few guys," said Coetzee.

"I think the leadership, in general, is good.

"There are still the old guys like Bismarck [du Plessis] and Morne Steyn and then you have young guys like Elrigh Louw and Ruan Nortjé.

"There is also someone like Harold Vorster.

"I think the systems that Jake implemented will take the group forward. I have a lot of confidence in that."

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On that stint in Japan, Coetzee is relishing the opportunity to grow and be a better player when he returns to Pretoria.

"As a player, you are always looking to develop certain things," said the Bulls captain. "You want to grow as a player.

"I know from the last time playing in Japan [for Honda Heat in 2015/2026] there is a very high tempo. You are running a lot and it might be a good thing for my game going forward.

"The URC is getting bigger and it is getting tougher, but most of all it is getting quicker as well.

"You can always pick something up wherever you go. You keep on developing as a player.

"You just want to stay ahead of it.

"It's going to keep you on your feet coming back as well. You are just looking to come back a better player."

'Home is where the heart is'

Coetzee hinted that he wants to finish his rugby career in Pretoria with the Bulls.

"The positive thing about that [stint] is I know I am coming back.

"I missed my country too much while I was at Ulster for five years.

"I am coming back to the Bulls and they are backing me. It is an honour to play for the Bulls and you just want to live every moment of it.

"Home is where the heart is and that is definitely in Pretoria."

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