Marcell Coetzee has credited the players around him for becoming one of the Vodacom Bulls’ most-capped captains.
The 34-year-old is set to move into fifth place on the Bulls’ all-time list of captains when they take on the Scarlets in Llanelli on Saturday night.
It will be his 73rd match as skipper, overtaking former strongman Anton Leonard.
“I can’t believe how quickly the time has flown,” said Coetzee. “It feels like the other day I arrived, and now I sit with this achievement.”
He paid tribute to those who have shaped his journey.
“It’s all thanks to the management and players who’ve helped me along the way, who have complemented the role along the way.”
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Reflecting on the legacy of legendary Bulls leaders, he said: “If you take the previous captains like Naas [Botha], Victor [Matfield], Ruben [Kruger], Joost [van der Westhuizen], it’s phenomenal.
“But in saying that, you’re only as good as the guys that you surround yourself with.”
“I have guys like Marco [van Staden], Ruan [Nortjé] and Gerhard [Steenekamp], those are experienced guys that you lean on when times get tough.
“At the end of the day, it’s a team achievement and if you can just contribute in whatever way you can, then that is awesome. For me, it’s all about the journey with the guys and it’s been an exceptional journey so far.”
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Van Staden praised his skipper’s influence within the group.
“He doesn’t lead with words, he leads through his actions,” he said. “He always takes the front in games and shows us by the way he plays. When we’re under pressure, he stays calm.
“He’s done nothing but great things for the Bulls jersey. He deserves his name up with all the captains.”
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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