Coetzee and Etzebeth living the dream
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New Springboks Marcell Coetzee and Eben Etzebeth can't believe their dreams of playing for South Africa might be able to come true.
The pair of young forwards are among the new caps in Heyneke Meyer's squad following their impressive Super Rugby performances this season.
"I was so ecstatic, there was a tear rolling down. It was by far the best day of my life," 20-year-old Etzebeth told SAPA.
Etzebeth has been a standout for the Stormers at lock this season and the former Varsity Cup star is looking forward to a potential first taste of Test rugby against the English.
He said: "I don't know what to expect [from the English]. It's going to be physical, it's going to be hard and tough. That's Test -match rugby and hopefully I get my chance.
"They've been quite good this year. I saw them playing against the Barbarians last weekend when they put up quite a good performance. It will be a tough series."
Sharks flanker Coetzee was equally overcome by emotion upon hearing the news that he was in the Boks squad for the June Test matches.
"It hasn't sunk in yet, but it will get there," he said.
"I'm just humbled to be in the team and will give my best."
Coetzee, an SA Under-20 squad member alongside Etzebeth last season, admitted his selection ahead of the likes of Heinrich Brussow was something he is still wrapping his head around.
"You don't want to think about it like that (being picked ahead of Brussow), but Heinrich's a very respected player," Coetzee said.
"What he's done for South African rugby is enormous. I respect him a lot and I'm sure he'll come back fighting.
"It (my selection) shows the belief the coach has in me and hopefully I won't disappoint."
The 21-year-old said the Springboks expected the tourists to come out hard against them and insisted they would not take them lightly.
"England bring a real physical presence which you could see when they played the Barbarians last week," said Coetzee.
"They're a new, young squad with lots of enthusiasm. We clearly won't underestimate them.
"They like to play with their forwards and they like to take the ball up and attack the gain-line.
"Their backline seems to have a new dimension to it with a bit of flair. We will do our studies on them but we would focus on ourselves rather than the opposition."
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