‘One for the memory bank’: Coetzee reflects on All Blacks clash – new zealand

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PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 15: Haka during the Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry match between Vodacom Bulls and New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld on August 15, 2026 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)

REACTION: Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee described scoring against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday as a moment that will stay with him, despite the Bulls suffering a 19-50 defeat.

The 35-year-old flanker crossed in the 72nd minute to cap a memorable return to the international stage against New Zealand, having last faced the All Blacks in 2014 as a Springbok.

It was Coetzee’s fifth appearance against New Zealand and another significant chapter in a Test career that began in 2012.

Coetzee made his Springbok debut on June 9, 2012, aged 21, playing at flank against England at Kings Park in Durban. His most recent Test came on July 9, 2022, when he again started at flank against Wales in Bloemfontein.

Across his 31 Tests for South Africa, Coetzee scored six tries.

But his latest try, against the All Blacks in front of the Loftus crowd, carried a particular significance.

“First of all, playing against the All Blacks again after so many years, you can just see it’s another intensity, another ball game,” Coetzee told reporters after the match.

“Just to get that taste again, jogging out, seeing the national anthem, facing the Haka, yeah, it’s one for the memory bank.”

*Continues below…

Adding a try to the occasion made it even more special.

“To be blessed with a try as well,” Coetzee said, although he was quick to credit his teammates for creating the opportunity.

“That’s all down to pressure from the boys just setting you up.”

The scoreline ultimately made for a difficult evening for the Bulls, but Coetzee felt the significance of the occasion was not lost on the players.

“Despite the score and everything, you can see the boys’ faces, you know, it was an awesome opportunity, awesome game to be part of,” he said.

There was also an acknowledgement that the Bulls had plenty to work on after their defeat.

“Like the coach said, there’s a lot of fixings that we need to do going forward,” Coetzee said.

“All in all, very, very, very satisfying.”

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