'Those are the men that you want next to you'
SPOTLIGHT: Marcell Cornelius Coetzee is relishing the opportunity to ‘revive’ an international career that looked to have stalled.
Almost three years since his last outing for his country, Coetzee will feature in the Springbok squad in the second Test against Wales on Saturday.
Coetzee, 31, spoke about “catching up” with old friends like Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit.
“It is always phenomenal; when you see your name being read out on the [Springbok] team sheet,” he told a media scrum in Bloemfontein.
Having played the last of his 30 Tests when he fronted up to Argentina at Loftus Versfeld, in Pretoria, in August 2019, he is relishing the opportunity to have another crack at performing in the international arena.
The seasoned loose forward said he still gets ‘nervous butterflies’ before games, even though it is 10 years since his first Test – against England at Kingspark, in Durban, in June 2012.
“It is a great privilege to be in the mix this week,” Coetzee said, adding: “I feel the same as the players making their debuts this weekend.
“Every Test is special – be that the All Blacks or Wales.
“Every game brings its own uniqueness and it is up to you as an individual to be accountable for your own preparations and ensure you are ready.”
He said he kept ‘dreaming’ about getting back into the national team, despite the three-year absence.
“Having been privileged to have played in 30 Tests, I know what it is all about – the passion and the emotion you get in the game and from the crowd.”
He will form part of an exciting new loose forward combination that features rookies Evan Roos and World Cup winner Pieter-Steph du Toit.
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Coetzee said the ‘experience’ of former the World Rugby Player of the Year, Du Toit, will bring stability to the new loose forward combination.
“Evan [Roos] had an exceptional season,” Coetzee said, adding: “The biggest challenge for us as a loose trio is to build that synergy and cohesion.
“Those are men that you want next to you.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity this weekend.”
Coetzee said he will tell the rookies, making their debuts, to ‘just enjoy the moment’.
“Take it all in and don’t let the build-up overwhelm you mentally.
“Remember what you did to bring you here [to the Bok squad]. Every player has something special that resulted in him being selected.
“Never forget that. Concentrate on your strengths and enjoy the moment.”
He added that the Boks have enough ‘World Cup-winning players’ in the team for Saturday – the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Handre Pollard – to ensure the emotions don’t boil over.
“They will bring the composure,” he said about threats from the Wales camp that they will ‘get under the Boks skins’ again as they did in last week’s first Test.
“Collectively, as a team, we must drive all the positive energy in the same direction.
“The last thing you want is for players to go over the top. It is about the team’s objectives.”
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