Marcell Coetzee citing: Bulls flanker avoids suspension and is named on bench for Scarlets

Marcell Coetzee citing: the Bulls flanker has avoided a suspension after a URC disciplinary panel did not uphold the complaint from the match against Ulster, and he has been named on the bench to face Scarlets on Saturday.

The URC announced its decision on Thursday. Coetzee is among the replacements in the Bulls’ team announcement, with Hanro Liebenberg captaining the starting side.

Marcell Coetzee citing: what the panel decided

The complaint concerned the 43rd minute of the Bulls’ match against Ulster on Saturday 24 October. The URC identified Laws 9.20(a) and 9.20(b), describing the category as “Dangerous play in a ruck or maul”.

The provisions concern charging into a ruck or maul and making contact above an opponent’s shoulders.

The panel, chaired by Ben Rutherford alongside Declan Goodwin and Chris Morgan, agreed that foul play had occurred. However, it found that the level of danger did not justify increasing the sanction. The citing was not upheld, leaving Coetzee free to play.

Bulls name Coetzee among replacements

The team announcement names Coetzee among the replacements, with Hanro Liebenberg captaining the starting side.

Johan Ackermann has made eight changes to his starting XV and 13 across the matchday squad. Willie le Roux returns at full-back, while Curwin Bosch starts at fly-half alongside scrum-half Paul de Wet.

Jeandre Rudolph, Liebenberg and Cameron Hanekom form the starting back row. Coetzee provides cover from the bench alongside forwards Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Francois Klopper and Cobus Wiese.

Pollard absent after hamstring assessment

Handré Pollard is absent from the announced squad after the Bulls said on Monday that he had undergone a scan on a hamstring complaint. Their 26 October medical update did not give a return date.

Pollard was also omitted from South Africa’s November touring squad through injury. Read our Springboks injury news for the wider picture ahead of their visit to Ireland.

The same update ruled Canan Moodie and Sango Xamlashe out of selection for this week. Cheswill Jooste had undergone surgery for a broken cheekbone and was also following concussion protocols, while Embrose Papier was recovering from an ankle operation.

Those absences give the reshuffled side a different look, but Coetzee’s disciplinary clearance means Ackermann retains another experienced option in the forwards.

When do Bulls play Scarlets?

The Bulls host Scarlets at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday 31 October, with kick-off at 3pm GMT, or 5pm in South Africa.

The match is listed live on Premier Sports 1 in the UK, according to WherestheMatch’s fixture-specific schedule, with kick-off at 3pm GMT.

Scarlets confirmed the UK kick-off time in their own squad update. They will be without Macs Page following the head injury he suffered against the Stormers.

The Welsh club also announced that Taine Plumtree and Joe Hawkins were returning home to join the Wales squad ahead of November’s Nations Championship fixtures.

Separately, Tadhg Furlong’s citing from the same weekend was scheduled for a hearing on Thursday 29 October. Read our Tadhg Furlong citing report for the background to that case.

Follow our rugby coverage for more team news and disciplinary decisions.

Marcell Coetzee: your questions answered

Is Marcell Coetzee suspended?

No. The citing complaint arising from the Ulster match was not upheld, leaving him free to play.

Will Marcell Coetzee play against Scarlets?

He has been named among the Bulls’ replacements. Hanro Liebenberg captains the starting side.

What time is Bulls vs Scarlets?

Kick-off is at 3pm GMT on Saturday 31 October at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Why was Marcell Coetzee cited?

Coetzee was cited following an incident in the 43rd minute against Ulster on 24 October, under Laws 9.20(a) and 9.20(b), covering dangerous play in a ruck or maul.

Is Hanro Liebenberg captaining the Bulls against Scarlets?

Yes. Liebenberg captains the starting side, while Coetzee is named among the replacements.