Coetzee on Sharks derby: It's personal

12/19/2024 08:00 AM

Marcell Coetzee is cracking his knuckles for a showdown with Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth when the Bulls take on the Sharks at Kings Park on Saturday.

“There’s nothing else in the world like an SA derby,” Coetzee said on Wednesday.

A trip back to Kings Park will be particularly sentimental for Coetzee, a Port Natal old boy who came through the Sharks ranks, spending five seasons in KZN from 2011 to 2016 and making 74 appearances.

“That’s where my career started and John Plumtree was the first coach I made my debut for, so you’ll always have that connection,” added Coetzee. “I went to school there, but I’ve loved my time in Pretoria. My dad and I were always Bulls supporters.

“This weekend, it will be personal, but for reasons relating to the team and what we want to achieve this season.”

The Bulls are looking to bounce back after a shock home defeat in the Investec Champions Cup last week when Northampton Saints raided the breakdown and Coetzee is determined to avoid a similar issue at the hands of the Sharks’ Springbok contingent.

“The Saints exposed us at the ruck, worked well defensively, and isolated runners from their support. We will have to be sharper in the contest and in contact – a guy like Siya Kolisi loves to impose himself at the breakdown, and we know Eben Etzebeth will want to make his mark physically as well.

“We need to empty the tank this weekend. It’s our last game of the year and it’s a great opportunity to bounce back from last week against a great Sharks team in Durban.

“The margins in the URC are so small. Whether you are in eighth place or first, we really need to step up. If you want to be successful in this competition you need to win the derbies.”

Photo: Paul Devlin/SNS Group via Getty Images

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