Marcell Coetzee couldn't hide his enthusiasm after the Vodacom Bulls clinched back-to-back tour victories, setting the stage for a grudge match against the Lions at Ellis Park. Fresh off triumphs over Pau in the Investec Champions Cup and Edinburgh in the Vodacom URC, the Bulls are on a mission to avenge their previous defeat at Loftus.
The squad's morale skyrocketed following these wins, propelling them to ninth in the URC standings, just a hair's breadth away from the seventh-placed Lions. "The two wins were really awesome for the group’s morale," Coetzee shared, his voice brimming with confidence. "The confidence is very high and the guys are just happy. We had to get back into that winning habit."
"Our defence really took a massive step up on tour. We managed to rectify the previous games’ mistakes, those soft moments that really cost us."
But don't be fooled, the road doesn't get any smoother. A fierce derby at Ellis Park looms large, and the Bulls are all too aware of the challenge ahead. Coetzee emphasized the importance of recovery post-tour before throwing all their energy into tackling a formidable Lions side. "We’ve got a tough derby waiting for us now at Ellis Park, so it doesn’t get any easier," he stated.
Coetzee, a seasoned Springbok loose forward, highlighted the unpredictability of South African derbies, where past performances can be tossed out the window. Yet, it's clear the sting of their 43-33 defeat to the Lions last November hasn't worn off.
"But they had our number the previous game and it’s something we’re looking to rectify."
He lauded the Lions for their significant growth over recent seasons, noting their cohesion and maturity on the field. "They’re a tight group and you can see how mature they are in the way they approach things and situations on the pitch," he praised. But for the Bulls, only a full 80-minute performance will suffice if they hope to overcome their rivals. "Starters and bench, it has to be buy-in from everyone. Especially against a side like the Lions, because they will punish you."
With the stakes sky-high, Coetzee didn't mince words about the importance of the upcoming match. "For our campaign’s sake, it’s a must win," he added, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling encounter at Ellis Park, a venue that has historically been kind to the Bulls.
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Marcell Coetzee couldn't hide his enthusiasm after the Vodacom Bulls clinched back-to-back tour victories, setting the stage for a grudge match against the Lions at Ellis Park. Fresh off triumphs over Pau in the Investec Champions Cup and Edinburgh in the Vodacom URC, the Bulls are on a mission to avenge their previous defeat at Loftus.
The squad's morale skyrocketed following these wins, propelling them to ninth in the URC standings, just a hair's breadth away from the seventh-placed Lions. "The two wins were really awesome for the group’s morale," Coetzee shared, his voice brimming with confidence. "The confidence is very high and the guys are just happy. We had to get back into that winning habit."
"Our defence really took a massive step up on tour. We managed to rectify the previous games’ mistakes, those soft moments that really cost us."
But don't be fooled, the road doesn't get any smoother. A fierce derby at Ellis Park looms large, and the Bulls are all too aware of the challenge ahead. Coetzee emphasized the importance of recovery post-tour before throwing all their energy into tackling a formidable Lions side. "We’ve got a tough derby waiting for us now at Ellis Park, so it doesn’t get any easier," he stated.
Coetzee, a seasoned Springbok loose forward, highlighted the unpredictability of South African derbies, where past performances can be tossed out the window. Yet, it's clear the sting of their 43-33 defeat to the Lions last November hasn't worn off.
"But they had our number the previous game and it’s something we’re looking to rectify."
He lauded the Lions for their significant growth over recent seasons, noting their cohesion and maturity on the field. "They’re a tight group and you can see how mature they are in the way they approach things and situations on the pitch," he praised. But for the Bulls, only a full 80-minute performance will suffice if they hope to overcome their rivals. "Starters and bench, it has to be buy-in from everyone. Especially against a side like the Lions, because they will punish you."
With the stakes sky-high, Coetzee didn't mince words about the importance of the upcoming match. "For our campaign’s sake, it’s a must win," he added, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling encounter at Ellis Park, a venue that has historically been kind to the Bulls.