Vodacom Bulls flank Marcell Coetzee still hopes for another Springbok opportunity to come his way.
The 33-year-old has earned 31 Test caps since 2012 and only three under coach Rassie Erasmus – two in 2019 against the Wallabies in Johannesburg and Argentina in Pretoria, and one in 2022 against Wales in Bloemfontein.
Coetzee has starred for the Bulls since returning to South Africa from Irish club Ulster in 2021 yet has not been recalled by Erasmus at any stage, or even invited to a Springbok alignment camp.
“For me, it’s just important to control what I can control,” Coetzee told Rapport when asked about his Bok prospects. “Whether it’s form or something I need to work on.
“I’m incredibly grateful for this season [with the Bulls]. There were incredible victories and those two Man of the Match awards. I didn’t think at my age I would still be Man of the Match,” he added with a laugh.
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“I’m just grateful, take it day by day and if they [the Boks] see something that can add value, that would be great.
“You would never say no if another opportunity [to play for the Boks] came your way. But if you think about it, Rassie and his staff have a structure and a plan until the next World Cup.
“Ultimately you can’t control their choices. They choose who is the best and what is most important for South Africa.”
Coetzee missed the Bulls’ 26-19 win against Glasgow at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday night after injuring a knee during the warm-up, but it is reportedly not serious.
Coach Jake White’s team end their league-stage URC campaign with home matches against two Welsh clubs, Cardiff (10 May) and the Dragons (17 May).
Photo: David Fitzgerald/Getty Images
