Marcell Coetzee's absence for Stormers clash confirmed, but Bulls don't regret his Japan sabbatical

Marcell Coetzee will indeed not be able to spearhead the Bulls' charge in the URC playoffs after he wasn't granted clearance to play in Saturday's crunch meeting with the Stormers in Cape Town.

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SuperSport.com had earlier reported that the franchise had pulled out all the stops to tick the available administrative boxes following the 31-year-old Springbok flanker's return from a stint with Kobelco Steelers in Japan, but were unsuccessful. 

Ironically, Coetzee had appeared in the opening seven rounds of this season's URC campaign before being de-registered for his "sabbatical" in the Far East.

Jake White, the Bulls' director of rugby, noted that his inspirational skipper would naturally be missed, but also accepted that the complexities of having to co-ordinate the player's registration status on two different continents was bound to present a challenge.

Coetzee was only able to return to Loftus this week because the Steelers finished the Japanese season outside of a playoff spot.

The franchise did previously admit that it had to offer their star senior player a temporary window to supplement his income overseas as SA Rugby's own salary cap regulations and an unfavourable exchange rate means local teams can't match the riches on offer at foreign clubs.

With Coetzee unable to travel to Cape Town, lock Ruan Nortje will continue to lead the Bulls on Saturday.

The Bulls loose trio consists of Marco van Staden, Cyle Brink and Elrigh Louw.

In the backline, Johan Goosen starts at flyhalf with Embrose Papier his halfback partner.

Bok speedsters Kurt-Lee Arendse (fullback) and Canan Moodie (wing) will provide threats out wide.

15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14