The Vodacom Bulls are determined to send captain Ruan Nortjé and other departing players out on a high by winning Friday night’s URC final in Dublin.
Nortjé will leave for Japan later this year after more than a decade of service to the Pretoria-based outfit, having risen through the Bulls academy ranks to become both captain and a Springbok.
Coach Johan Ackermann paid tribute to the lock’s immense contribution to the union.
“Ruan has been at the Bulls since he was 17 or 18 years old,” said Ackermann. “He’s left a massive mark on the Bulls jersey and on the club. What he has achieved will always be remembered.”
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Nortjé is not the only key figure moving on, with Springboks Kurt-Lee Arendse and Wilco Louw, and David Kriel also moving on.
“Those players have made a huge contribution and left a big mark on Bulls rugby,” Ackermann said.
“But tomorrow is about the final and the 23 players. Hopefully we can put in a performance that makes the jersey proud and makes them proud.”
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Captain Marcell Coetzee, Nortjé’s roommate for the past six years, described the lock as the perfect role model.
“Ruan is a massive figure in this team,” said Coetzee. “He came through the system and represents everything this jersey stands for – perseverance, excellence, humility and hard work.
“He’s a perfect example for the younger generation coming through.”
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Coetzee joked that he had been telling Nortje it could be his final match for the Bulls “since the quarter-final”.
“Then in the semi-final we said this could be his last week, and then we managed to go through and get here”.
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Photo: Vodacom Bulls
The post Bulls hoping for golden goodbye appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Vodacom Bulls are determined to send captain Ruan Nortjé and other departing players out on a high by winning Friday night’s URC final in Dublin.
The post Bulls hoping for golden goodbye appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
