Marcell Coetzee has warned his Vodacom Bulls side that ruthlessness will be non-negotiable against the All Blacks on Saturday.
The 35-year-old loose forward is drawing on his own history against New Zealand, including that unforgettable night at Ellis Park in 2014, as he prepares to lead his team at Loftus Versfeld.
Coetzee has played the All Blacks four times in his career, the last occasion coming in 2014 when the Springboks famously edged them courtesy of a late Pat Lambie penalty.
“I’ve been very privileged to have played them four times,” he said. “Last one in 2014, it was a phenomenal All Blacks team. To get the opportunity to play them again after all these years, that’s awesome.”
Coetzee said the buzz around Loftus Versfeld this week has been unmistakeable, particularly among the Bulls’ younger players who will get a rare taste of facing one of the world’s best.
“You can just see the buzz in the youngsters’ faces with the game coming up this weekend. The reality is everybody’s not going to get that opportunity, maybe at international level, but this is a great opportunity for the guys to really exert themselves and measure themselves where they want to go in the future.”
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Reflecting on the All Blacks’ match against the Stormers, Coetzee said there were lessons his side could not afford to ignore heading into Saturday.
“The Stormers really took it to them. Defensive wise, set-piece wise, the aerial game, making the breakdowns a mess, that’s the South African DNA. We have to be clinical, because one soft moment against an international side, they will punish you.”
Coetzee also praised the impact of new signings Hanro Liebenberg, Curwin Bosch and Thaakir Abrahams since linking up with the squad.
“Hanro brings in a lot of experience from playing in the Premiership. Curwin has got a new energy in him, he has matured, he has calmed down and taken ownership. Thaakir really brings a lot of X factor in the backline.”
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Despite his veteran status, Coetzee can’t wait to get stuck in.
“Playing the All Blacks, the second best team in the world, that’s the motivation that will drive itself.
“With the fans really getting behind it, the players rallying around this great occasion, that’s where they will bring the best out of you, with the standard that they play.
“You want to be ready for that.”
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Photo: Vodacom Bulls
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