In a new article series, we take a look at Springbok players who were very unfortunate not to play more Test matches.
Between 2015 and 2019, Springbok loose forward Marcell Coetzee spent an inordinate amount of time on the sidelines due to a series of unfortunate injuries that had stunted a highly-promising career.
After making his Springbok debut in 2012 at the age of 21, he went on to feature in 12 Tests that year. A long and illustrious international career looked to be all but guaranteed at that point.
The versatile loose forward also enjoyed a productive 2014 Test season, when he played in 11 matches … but then misfortune struck.
Coetzee had to contend with injury after injury in the years to come, although many pundits felt he was extremely unfortunate to miss out on 2019 World Cup selection after just recovering in time to be considered for that showpiece event.
After that disappointment, Coetzee fell by the wayside at international level as injuries and some erratic form took him out of the Springbok reckoning.
In 2021, the burly flank moved back to South Africa – joining the Bulls from Irish club Ulster – and quickly found himself appointed as the captain for the Pretoria-based side.
MARCELL COETZEE: FIGHTING BACK FROM A PERIOD IN THE SPRINGBOK WILDERNESS
He eventually forced his way back into the Springbok mix, starting against Wales in 2022, but that has proved to be a one-off appearance.
Now 32 years old, it’s unlikely that Coetzee will feature for the Springboks again, but there can be little doubt that he is one of the most unlucky players who certainly seemed set to receive far more international exposure.
Although Coetzee is still performing prominently for the Bulls as a co-captain, it’s likely that his Test career will end on the current 31 Springbok caps.
INJURY SETBACK
“It [the injuries] did have a big effect on me,” Coetzee admitted during an interview back in 2019. “I’m very passionate about playing for the Boks. Once you’ve had a taste of playing in the green and gold, it’s like an addiction and you just want to experience more and more.
“The injuries have obviously put me back a bit, and there are players who have really taken their chances in the meantime. But the challenge for me was to take the injuries in my stride, and just get on with it.
“The one thing I can say is that if I should ever get the call-up, I’d jump at the chance. I’m still so passionate about the Springbok jersey and so all I can do is ensure that I’m performing well enough to be ready if the opportunity comes around again.”
