Marcell Coetzee to make Bulls debut against Stormers

June 03, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

Springbok loose forward Marcell Coetzee will earn his first cap for the Bulls when they host the Stormers in their Pro14 Rainbow Cup SA clash at Loftus Versfeld on Friday, 4 June 2021.

Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White has tweaked the starting line-up with scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl returning from injury to partner flyhalf Morné Steyn, while wing Stravino Jacobs reclaims the no.11 jersey in place of James Verity-Amm.

Besides the inclusion of Coetzee at openside flank, Mornay Smith and Gerhard Steenekamp will prop up the scrum alongside hooker Johan Grobbelaar.

Springbok utility back Gio Aplon has recovered from his ACL injury and will add experience off the bench, with fellow Springboks in prop Trevor Nyakane and flank Marco van Staden set to do the same.

"We've welcomed back Gio and Ivan from injury while Marcell gets his first start for us. It’s great having experience of this calibre coming back into our system as we head into the busines end of the tournament," said White.

"The loss against the Lions put things into perspective as we cannot afford even one slip up in terms of the log. We need to make amends for it and there's not many things tougher than a classic North-South derby," he added.

Kick-off is scheduled for 19h00 CAT with the match being televised live on SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby channels.

Bulls:

15. David Kriel

14. Madosh Tambwe

13. Marco Jansen van Vuren

12. Cornal Hendricks

11. Stravino Jacobs

10. Morné Steyn

9. Ivan van Zyl

8. Duane Vermeulen (C)

7. Elrigh Louw

6. Marcell Coetzee