Marcell: Bulls Must Be Clever About Tempo Against Lions

Newcomers to top-level rugby may forget that Marcell Coetzee has 31 Springbok Test caps to his name.

Add over 70 Super Rugby caps for the Sharks, over 50 European outings for Ulster and two short stints in Japan, and it becomes clear that the 33-year-old loose forward has played a lot of rugby despite a few major injuries along the way.

But reaching the 50-cap mark for the Bulls in last weekends 48-7 Champions Cup triumph over Stade Francais at Loftus Versfeld clearly meant a lot to the man who hails from Potchefstroom and made his way through Port Natal High School to the senior Sharks set-up.

Every 50 that you achieve in your career, its a massive honour and privilege, Coetzee said.

But in particular for the Bulls, a team that Ive supported from a young age ... To stand their afterwards, with the result going our way, the team made it very special with your family, your baby, your wife.