It has been three years since Jean Deysel and Marcell Coetzee last played together and the powerful South African duo are looking forward to taking on familiar opposition at Kingspan Stadium this evening when the Cheetahs come to Belfast.
Tickets for tonight's game are available on the gate from 6.00pm (kick-off 7.35pm).
“We were talking about it this week actually, we haven't played together since 2014 we think," said 32-year-old Deysel, who joined Ulster this summer but previously played for the Sharks with Coetzee.
“Marcell’s fired up and ready to go. It's been a tough year for him but that's part of rugby, part of the game we play. He's eager. He's fit and strong and he's going to be a massive player for Ulster if he carries it on,” said Deysel, who will make his first competitive appearance for Ulster.
Analysing a back row that also includes Chris Henry, who will captain Ulster against Cheetahs this evening, Deysel said:
“We share the load well, and that's what you need in a game like this. We're very excited to get together on the park and enjoy it. That's why we started playing rugby.
“Sometimes when it gets hard, when it gets tight in the professional game, you can overlook that. I really think tonight is one of those days to enjoy it.”
The four-times capped Springbok will be lining out against familiar opposition at Kingspan Stadium, something he’s looking forward to.
“Sitting in the meeting room on Monday looking at a Cheetahs game was quite different,” said the man who scored his first ever Super Rugby try against the Bloemfontein side.
“It's exciting. I'm looking forward to getting stuck in,” he said. “They're a brilliant side. Sometimes you don't know what you're getting because they have such good individuals.
“They're mid-season back home, so it will definitely be a tough one. They're well gelled and they'll come here with a great unity.
“But we're hungry to go. It's a new competition for them and it's a new start for us, so both sides will be looking forward to it.”
Tickets for tonight's game are available on the gate from 6.00pm (kick-off 7.35pm).
“We were talking about it this week actually, we haven't played together since 2014 we think," said 32-year-old Deysel, who joined Ulster this summer but previously played for the Sharks with Coetzee.
“Marcell’s fired up and ready to go. It's been a tough year for him but that's part of rugby, part of the game we play. He's eager. He's fit and strong and he's going to be a massive player for Ulster if he carries it on,” said Deysel, who will make his first competitive appearance for Ulster.
Analysing a back row that also includes Chris Henry, who will captain Ulster against Cheetahs this evening, Deysel said:
“We share the load well, and that's what you need in a game like this. We're very excited to get together on the park and enjoy it. That's why we started playing rugby.
“Sometimes when it gets hard, when it gets tight in the professional game, you can overlook that. I really think tonight is one of those days to enjoy it.”
The four-times capped Springbok will be lining out against familiar opposition at Kingspan Stadium, something he’s looking forward to.
“Sitting in the meeting room on Monday looking at a Cheetahs game was quite different,” said the man who scored his first ever Super Rugby try against the Bloemfontein side.
“It's exciting. I'm looking forward to getting stuck in,” he said. “They're a brilliant side. Sometimes you don't know what you're getting because they have such good individuals.
“They're mid-season back home, so it will definitely be a tough one. They're well gelled and they'll come here with a great unity.
“But we're hungry to go. It's a new competition for them and it's a new start for us, so both sides will be looking forward to it.”