Coetzee: You can’t buy experience

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Marcell Coetzee says decorated Springbok veterans Morne Steyn and Bismarck du Plessis are at the heart of the Vodacom Bulls’ quest for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship title. DYLAN JACK reports.

The Stormers will be looking for their third straight victory over the Bulls when the teams meet at Cape Town Stadium in this season’s third instalment of the traditional north-south derby.

At Loftus Versfeld, it came down to a late bit of magic from former Bulls fullback Warrick Gelant, who created the winning try scored by scrumhalf Paul de Wet. In the most recent clash in Cape Town, it was Damian Willemse’s 70th-minute drop goal that separated the two teams at full time.

“This is going to come down to the team that wants it most.” – Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee

Speaking during a media conference on Wednesday, Bulls captain Coetzee said he and his teammates had focused more on ensuring they are precise in utilising the opportunities that come their way on Saturday.

“It’s not so much about revenge because it is a final. It’s going to be personal on both fronts. It’s a 50/50 on the day and anything can happen. We will address that with the humility and respect it deserves. These are two phenomenal teams in the final and it’s good for South African rugby.

“I think it’s about the execution. We had a lot of opportunities in those previous games and could have sealed the deal. But we didn’t take those, whereas the Stormers did, actually. That’s what has made them a very good side this season. We saw it against Ulster. They had the opportunity to win the game and took it. It makes the Stormers dangerous.

“As the season has gone on, we have got better at it. We’ve won the big moments. This is going to come down to the team that wants it most and will be precise in what they execute.”

The Bulls progressed to the final thanks to an unlikely win over Irish giants and eight-time champions Leinster, but Coetzee said that the grand final will be a different game entirely in its ferocity.

“There was huge happiness and jubilation after the Leinster win. We were most proud of the plan that we wanted to implement on the day and I think the boys have backed it up with 100% efficiency. We achieved what we wanted to and it was a good mood and it just showed that you can win away from home in playoffs.

“Going into this week against the Stormers, it is going to be a different animal completely. They are a quality outfit and have been consistent through the whole season and are playing at home. From our side, we are sitting with a bunch of guys who are eager for the task and happy to go down there and accept the challenge. I think both teams are going to be up for it and it’s going to be a big spectacle.”

“You just get that confidence from the guys who have been there before. You can’t buy experience.” – Marcell Coetzee

The Bulls are likely to have a fairly youthful starting lineup with the likes of Canan Moodie, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Zak Burger and Ruan Nortje all playing in their first continental tournament final.

However, that will be balanced by veterans Morne Steyn and Bismarck du Plessis, who both had a big hand in the semi-final victory over Leinster.

“I remember when I was a young player playing in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Currie Cup finals. It’s immense. You just get that confidence from the guys who have been there before. You can’t buy experience,” Coetzee said.

“The more experienced players you have in your team, you as a youngster feed off that. They complement each other in a way. The older guys also feed off the youngsters’ energy and how excited they are, how they appreciate being in a final. You can never take that for granted as a senior player.

“It goes hand in hand. If I tell you that you have a Morne Steyn in your team, you know what to expect from him. Bismarck has also been there and done that. It is so beneficial for us, having those guys in the system. We have a great mix at the moment. That’s been crucial to our campaign.”

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

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Dylan Jack