Springbok Coetzee to join Ulster

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ADM
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Springbok Coetzee to join Ulster

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[tag=image]http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Marc ... U2F1Nl.jpg[/tag][tag=content]Ulster Rugby have confirmed the signing of Springbok international back rower Marcell Coetzee on a three-year deal from the start of the 2016/17 season.

The story was broken by the Newsletter yesterday with Coetzee being lined up as the replacement for outgoing number eight Nick Williams who is joining the Cardiff Blues next season.

Coetzee, 24, has made 28 appearances for the Springboks since making his debut against England in June 2012 and has scored six tries for his country.

He was likely to travel with the Springboks to the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England but for a cruel injury that robbed him of game time before the tournament which led to him missing the squad.

Coetzee will join Ulster at the end of the 2016 Super Rugby season where he will represent his current club, the Sharks, whom he has made 68 appearances for since his debut back in 2011.

The versatile South African is adept at playing anywhere across the back row and has been named captain of the Sharks’ pre-season touring side to face Toulouse tonight in France.

The flanker also made nine appearances for the Honda Heat in Japan’s Top League this season, scoring three tries.

“It is a major coup for us to sign a player of Marcell’s quality and experience,” Ulster Director of Rugby Les Kiss said on Coetzee’s signing.

“His age profile, positional versatility, leadership ability and character were some of the key ingredients as to why he was such an important target for us.

“He has played most of his international rugby between 6 and 7, but he has also played a huge amount at number 8, where we feel he could have a big impact for Ulster.

“That versatility is absolutely vital for us, as not only can Marcell be hugely effective across the three positions, but this can also accommodate the development of a number of our home-grown Irish-qualified players.

“Being appointed as the Shark’s vice-captain for the season shows that even at the young age of 24, Marcell has undoubted leadership ability. On the park, with his skilled and aggressive approach, he clearly leads from the front.

“Bryn [Cunningham] has done a marvellous job in securing the services of such a talented player and I look forward to working with him. When you factor in the additions of Charles Piutau, Rodney Ah You and Kieran Treadwell, it gives us improved quality and depth across the squad in the coming seasons.”


Bryn Cunningham, Ulster’s Operations Director, echoed Kiss’ sentiments and expressed his excitement at the arrival of the Springbok flanker.

“To attract someone of Marcell’s stature is a real statement of intent on our behalf,” he commented.

“We have very high aspirations of what we want to achieve over the next two to three years and as a result, we are trying to build a squad that is capable of being extremely competitive in both the Guinness PRO12 and in Europe.

“At 24, we believe his best years are still ahead of him, which is hugely exciting and shows the commitment Marcell has given to Ulster Rugby.

“I know that this was an incredibly difficult decision for him to make with the attachment he has to the Sharks, not to mention the high level of interest from other clubs.

“Having spent plenty of time talking with Marcell, it is also evident that he has all the key character attributes, like many South Africans that have gone before him at Ulster, to fit into our culture seamlessly and have a massively positive impact on our environment.

“We are all very excited about what he will bring to Ulster in the coming seasons and we wish him success this season with the Sharks.”
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