Coetzee wants to make Bulls star a Bok

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Marcell Coetzee has shrugged off his latest Springbok snub, and will rather “give his everything” to help Elrigh Louw become the best No 8 in South Africa.

Coetzee (30) has been one of the most impressive players in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, but the Vodacom Bulls skipper and Stormers standout Evan Roos were omitted from the first of two national alignment camps, which Louw attended.

Coetzee hasn’t always had the best of luck when it comes to the Boks, with injuries often ruling the versatile loose forward out of selection.

Yet, Bulls boss Jake White can’t understand why Jacques Nienaber chose not to invite him to the workshop in Durban, saying the 30-cap Test veteran “ticked every box” for selection.

Asked by IOL Sport about his Bok ambitions, ahead of Friday’s URC clash with Glasgow Warriors at Loftus Versfeld, Coetzee said: “At the end of the day, you can only control what you can control on the field.

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“And for me, at the moment and at my age, you just want to plough back into the team at the Bulls, and for young guys like Elrigh, you just want to give back with your experience.

“You just want to enjoy your rugby and give your everything every weekend.”

Coetzee, Louw and ex-Lions bruiser Cyle Brink have formed a formidable loose trio for the Bulls, the latter having quickly made his presence felt in Pretoria.

“It’s great to play with Ella, Arno [Botha], Cyle, and guys like Muller [Uys]. There is a very good loose-trio group here, so it forces you to pitch up every week, because the guy is right behind you. You want to give your everything,” Coetzee said.

“A guy like Cyle came into the system really well. He is very nice off the field. He still battles a bit with the Afrikaans! But we will get him there.

“His play speaks for itself. Since he’s put on that Bulls jersey, he has added a lot of value, and he is growing and getting better and better.”

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Devin Hermanus