Coetzee out for the season

The Vodacom Bulls were dealt a massive blow with the news that captain Marcell Coetzee is out for the rest of the season.

Coetzee, who didn’t accompany the rest of his side as they traveled to England last weekend for their Investec Champions’ Cup clash against Northampton Saints, instead underwent an operation on his knee and is out for the rest of the season.

“The initial scan showed the knee was worse than expected and he decided to have the op. So that is a blow for us,” Director of Rugby Jake White said in announcing his side ahead of Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with defending champions Munster.

Coetzee’s absence is compounded by the absence of co-captain Ruan Nortje, who is struggling with a hamstring injury and is still “weeks away” from returning to the side.

Other players who have still a few weeks - unspecified exactly how long it is - before returning are World Cup winner Marco van Staden, who is also recovering from a knee injury, and loose forward Jannes Kirsten, who still hasn’t played for the Bulls since joining them from Exeter Chiefs.