Marcell Coetzee reflects on Ruan Nortje's "tough and emotional" decision to head to Japan. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee says his good friend and long-standing roommate, Ruan Nortje, agonised over his decision to leave the Bulls for a club in Japan.
Nortje is a quintessential Bull — he went to school in Pretoria at Hoërskool Wonderboom, supported the Blue Bulls growing up, joined the Bulls age group system out of school, and to date has played almost 150 games for the senior team since 2018. Nortje captained the Bulls in their URC finals in 2024 and 2025.
Last week, Bulls fans were shocked by the out-of-the-blue revelation that Nortje will join the Kobe Steelers in Japan. They were still getting over the news that another star player, David Kriel, is leaving for La Rochelle.
“I’ve been his roommate for the past six years,” Coetzee said, in a media conference ahead of the Bulls’ URC match against the Dragons on Friday night.
“I know firsthand it wasn’t an easy process for him, but he felt the time was right for him and his wife. They have a baby on the way.
“As players, we respect that. We know there comes a time when you want to expand your horizons, you want to develop yourself in other countries, and see how you measure up. Ruan is a true Blue Bulls man, and this is very hard for him, but he felt this was the right time.
“It’s always a tough, emotional decision to leave your country and your family behind. It’s a big sacrifice, but the outcome will come if you approach it with the right mindset.”
Coetzee is the right man to advise Nortje on the timing of a move overseas, where South African players can boost their bank balance with foreign currency while experiencing a change of scenery.
The 34-year-old joined the Sharks out of school and four years later moved to Ulster, where he became a fan favourite while earning pounds sterling. Coetzee also spent time in Japan before returning to South Africa to see out his career at the Bulls. He would have advised the 27-year old Nortje that he could do something similar.
Nortje, a big part of Rassie Erasmus’s Springbok plans, has played 146 matches for the union to date; and 18 Tests.
He said last week, “For me, it was a little boy’s dream come true to represent the Bulls. I’d have been happy with one appearance and never imagined in my wildest dreams I’d get to almost 150 matches.”
It would be only fitting if he reaches that milestone before the URC ends.