Marcell Coetzee has revealed how difficult it was for his long-time roommate Ruan Nortjé to decide to leave the Vodacom Bulls.
The Springbok lock, who has earned 18 Test caps since 2022, is set to join the Kubota Spears in Japan at the end of the season.
The 27-year-old has only represented the Bulls in his professional career, captaining them to back-to-back URC finals in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
“I’ve been his roommate for the past six years,” said Coetzee. “I know firsthand it wasn’t an easy process for him, but he felt the time was right for him and his wife and the baby that’s on the way.
“As players, we respect that. We know there comes a time where you want to expand your horizons, you want to go develop yourself in other countries and see how you measure up.
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“Ruan is a true Blue Bulls man and this is very hard for him, but he felt this was the right time.
“It’s always a tough, emotional decision leaving your country and your family behind. It’s a big sacrifice, but the outcome will come if you approach it with the right mindset.”
Coetzee understands the value of overseas experience. Four years after making his Super Rugby debut for the Sharks, he joined the Honda Heat in Japan.
He also spent several seasons with Ulster and another season in Japan with the Kobe Steelers before returning to South Africa and the Bulls in 2021.
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“The life and rugby experience you gather overseas is tremendous,” he said. “You work with coaches from all nationalities and get a viewpoint of how they see the game, which you try and implement. You pick up stuff along the way.
“For any player that goes abroad and wants to test himself, it’s exceptional. But it’s always great if they come back to the union with all that experience that they gathered and help build up the team.”
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Photo: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
The post Marcell: Bulls goodbye ‘very hard’ for Ruan appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
