Proteas v Windies: Fiery Coetzee relishes Nortje-like enforcer role

At the Wanderers

Gerald Coetzee says he has absolutely no qualms being the Proteas' Anrich Nortje in the second Test against the West Indies.

In fact, being a proverbial enforcer steaming in and sending down thunderbolts is a role the 22-year-old quick believes comes quite naturally to him.

By all accounts, the handful of supporters that ended up at the Bullring witnessed it firsthand as he finished with impressive figures of 3/41, interspersing his wicket-taking ability with some toe-crunching yorkers and a blow to the body or two.

But Coetzee isn't about to challenge for Nortje's throne because he has a better suggestion: why can't the South African Test side have two of them in one XI?

It was, after all, the case last week in Centurion.

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"I don't feel extra pressure necessarily, both Anrich and I have that enforcer role in us naturally," he said.

"If you look at our attack today, I believe that was my role, which I enjoyed because I'm comfortable with it. But I don't think I was more aggressive just because Anrich wasn't there. It comes naturally [and we can do it both]."

Thursday's spell was the continuation of what has been a very productive start to Coetzee's Test career, which was born in last week's Test at SuperSport Park. 

"Coming into a team with such a world-class bowling attack makes it very easy, so I could just fit right in. I have the freedom to do what I do, which is great," he said. 

"If I look at the quality of bowlers we have, you can flourish."

Interim Proteas coach Malibongwe Maketa's decision to take him on last year's tour to Australia also paid rich dividends, even if Maketa himself isn't part of team