Jake White opens up on Bulls' 'phenomenal' signing
TRANSFER NEWS: The Blue Bulls Company on Monday officially announced the signing of 29-year-old Springbok loose forward Marcell Coetzee, effective July 2021.
Coetzee has penned a three-year deal and returns to South Africa after five seasons with Irish club Ulster where he quickly became a fan favourite and mainstay in the starting line-up.
The former Port Natal High School scholar also represented the Sharks in Super Rugby and the Currie Cup before a short stint with Honda Heat in the Japanese Top League before moving to Ireland.
“Marcell is a phenomenal player and any team in the world would be ecstatic to have a player of his calibre joining its structures,” said Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White.
“He has grown from strength to strength over the years and is currently playing some of the best rugby of his life. Heโs excited about being back in South Africa and making Loftus his home.”
Welcome to the #BullsFamily Marcell Coetzee ๐ช๐ฅ pic.twitter.com/o6ZSYqlo6z
โ Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) December 28, 2020
In a statement over the weekend, Coetzee revealed the reason behind his transfer decision.
“It all started during lock-down when I was back home for four months,” said Coetzee. “My wife and I did a lot of thinking together about life and we also reflected on where I am in my career.
“We decided to come back to Belfast with an open mind, but ultimately we miss home, the South African culture and way of life โ and after five seasons the longing for home has just caught up with us.
“I must say Ulster have been absolutely superb to me, on and off the field during my career, and I feel I have grown as a person and as a player for the experiences the club has given me. Ulster will always have a special place in the hearts of my wife and I.”
๐ฃ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐จ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ | Ulster Rugby and back-row, Marcell Coetzee, have reached an agreement to allow the player to return home to South Africa at the end of the 2020/21 season.
Full story โคต๏ธ
โ Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) December 26, 2020
