We caught up with Marcell Coetzee to find out his initial thoughts on Belfast, why he joined Ulster Rugby and how his injury rehab is progressing...
Marcell on Belfast...
“It is a very warm, welcoming city. Everybody is friendly and smiling and accepting of who you are. Belfast in general is a proud city with it’s culture, history and also a great rugby heritage.”
On joining Ulster...
“Ulster still had confidence in me after the injury, they said they still wanted me and they were going to help me. The club has had a few ACL problems here in the past and that gave me great confidence. I must thank Ulster for their support so far it has been really immense.
“The stadium is fantastic, and playing with the likes of Rory Best, Tommy Bowe and all the legends here is going to be a heartening experience and I just can’t wait to get onto the pitch.”
On his injury progress...
“It is going very well so far. I have been rehabbing with the Sharks and Ulster are going to take over. It has been going very well and I haven’t had any setbacks.
“When you come to a new club it’s extra frustrating but there is a plan after that. I have grown immensely as an individual and conditioning wise I have been working on my weak areas. It is always tough to watch the guys playing and training but this tests your character and mental toughness as a person.
“This is my first serious injury; I had been very lucky but ultimately it caught up with me, but I’m feeling very positive about it. Having said that, it’s very sad that I’m not making my debut earlier.
“I have to return to South Africa to sort a few things out but when I return in October I will be able to run and train with the team.”
On Ulster’s link with the Sharks...
“I spoke to Ruan (Pienaar), Franco (van der Merwe), Wiehahn (Herbst) and Louis (Ludik) and all the guys that were here and we actually joked at the Sharks that Ulster is our second base. Speaking with the guys, they say Ulster is a very unique club and I wanted to be a part of that. Just being here for a couple of days and seeing the professionalism of the management staff and players has been great. It’s been really welcoming and I’d like to thank everyone for that.”
On leaving the Sharks...
“The Sharks have been awesome for my career and I really enjoyed my rugby there but I just felt for something different. I wanted to grow as a player and an individual and having spoken to Ruan and Bryn (Cunningham), Ulster shared the same principles that I have as a player.”
On the Ulster staff...
“I’d say the professionalism and how they handle the players, the management and the facilities are world class. Everyone has been warm and accommodating and has a wave and a smile.”
On the European Champions Cup...
“It was definitely a factor, but I was also interested in the PRO12 because it gives you a chance to play all the other clubs. Coming from Super Rugby, it’s also a very tough tournament and coming to play in another domestic tournament and the European Cup is something that not a lot of rugby players can say they have done.”
Marcell on Belfast...
“It is a very warm, welcoming city. Everybody is friendly and smiling and accepting of who you are. Belfast in general is a proud city with it’s culture, history and also a great rugby heritage.”
On joining Ulster...
“Ulster still had confidence in me after the injury, they said they still wanted me and they were going to help me. The club has had a few ACL problems here in the past and that gave me great confidence. I must thank Ulster for their support so far it has been really immense.
“The stadium is fantastic, and playing with the likes of Rory Best, Tommy Bowe and all the legends here is going to be a heartening experience and I just can’t wait to get onto the pitch.”
On his injury progress...
“It is going very well so far. I have been rehabbing with the Sharks and Ulster are going to take over. It has been going very well and I haven’t had any setbacks.
“When you come to a new club it’s extra frustrating but there is a plan after that. I have grown immensely as an individual and conditioning wise I have been working on my weak areas. It is always tough to watch the guys playing and training but this tests your character and mental toughness as a person.
“This is my first serious injury; I had been very lucky but ultimately it caught up with me, but I’m feeling very positive about it. Having said that, it’s very sad that I’m not making my debut earlier.
“I have to return to South Africa to sort a few things out but when I return in October I will be able to run and train with the team.”
On Ulster’s link with the Sharks...
“I spoke to Ruan (Pienaar), Franco (van der Merwe), Wiehahn (Herbst) and Louis (Ludik) and all the guys that were here and we actually joked at the Sharks that Ulster is our second base. Speaking with the guys, they say Ulster is a very unique club and I wanted to be a part of that. Just being here for a couple of days and seeing the professionalism of the management staff and players has been great. It’s been really welcoming and I’d like to thank everyone for that.”
On leaving the Sharks...
“The Sharks have been awesome for my career and I really enjoyed my rugby there but I just felt for something different. I wanted to grow as a player and an individual and having spoken to Ruan and Bryn (Cunningham), Ulster shared the same principles that I have as a player.”
On the Ulster staff...
“I’d say the professionalism and how they handle the players, the management and the facilities are world class. Everyone has been warm and accommodating and has a wave and a smile.”
On the European Champions Cup...
“It was definitely a factor, but I was also interested in the PRO12 because it gives you a chance to play all the other clubs. Coming from Super Rugby, it’s also a very tough tournament and coming to play in another domestic tournament and the European Cup is something that not a lot of rugby players can say they have done.”