Bulls skipper Coetzee revels in joy of playoff masterclass in Dublin: 'I couldn't be prouder'

Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee achieved something that eluded him as an Ulsterman when the Bulls unexpectedly, but delightfully saw off Leinster 27-26 in their United Rugby Championship semi-final in Dublin on Friday.

The might of Leinster has meant most challengers, especially the three other Irish sides, generally fell short in matches that mattered in Dublin.

As an individual who represented Ulster with a great degree of distinction, Coetzee knows the pain that comes with playing and losing at the RDS Arena.

The Bulls came out, and deservedly so, on the right side of the result and the history of being the first South African team to win in Ireland in the URC.

READ | Bulls shock overwhelming favourites Leinster to book URC final spot

They did so when it truly mattered, an effort that left Coetzee feeling warm and fuzzy inside.  

"The emotions ran high in the interview after the game. I had a few goes at them with Ulster and came short quite close a few times," Coetzee said.

"Now that I'm wearing a Blue Bulls jersey, it's a proud moment as a captain, I couldn't be prouder.

"It's a highlight of my career, but the job is not done yet as we still have one more game remaining, so we'll prep and see what

"The result is something to be proud of." The Bulls' upstaging of Leo Cullen's side means the Stormers can guarantee an all-South African final if they beat Ulster in the second semi-final in Cape Town on Saturday.

Coetzee showed little sentimentality for his former team and his fellow South Africans, saying that they'll prepare as best as they can for whoever they'll face in next week's final.

Should the Stormers win, the Bulls will have to trek back south for the season's third and most highly anticipated North/South derby.

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