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- While a tad surprising, Ruan Nortje's appointment as the Bulls' new captain has been a process started some time ago by Jake White.
- White has seemingly seen that Nortje is cut from the same cloth as his predecessor, Marcell Coetzee, who's been a mentor and friend for the rising star lock.
- Nortje's teammates have given his elevation the proverbial thumbs-up.
Ruan Nortje's elevation to the Bulls captaincy might've surprised many, which makes it only more obvious that Jake White, his director of rugby, put a lot of thought into making this move.
Once it was confirmed that Marcell Coetzee, Nortje's predecessor was packing his bags for a Japanese sabbatical, the former Springbok coach wasted little time priming his key second-rower.
In fact, the 24-year-old himself revealed on Thursday that he's known about his new role for almost three months.
"In September, Jake told me I was taking over. It wasn't just that he woke up one morning and decided I should be captain," said Nortje.
"I've known a while. I could prepare myself for it, get my head right."
Yet the whole process started significantly earlier.
"It's come a while. Last season it came up periodically that Marcell was going to Japan for his stint. A few times Marcell calmly talked to me about it and then coach Jake too. It was definitely a gradual thing."
There's a distinct sense here that White realised quite early that the 24-year-old Nortje, who gained a Springbok cap this year for an eye-catching rise in estimation, could be cut from the same cloth as his talisman Coetzee.
Both men are affable, keen thinkers of the game and, most importantly, relentless in supplementing undeniable talent with sheer hard work.
They also came from undistinguished rugby backgrounds at school, a reality that merely served to increase their competitive drive.
It's little wonder Coetzee and Nortje have become close confidantes.
"Marcell and I have become really good friends. We've been roommates since he's joined us. We get along very well," said Nortje.
"On the field, we always speak to each other, I constantly ask him for advice. I've learnt a lot of things from him. The lesson that stands out, however, is that he told me to just be myself, not try to put too much onto my plate. I just have to lead by example."
Interestingly, this is Nortje's first serious captaincy gig.
"I've never really been in a captaincy role, probably in high school once or twice, but never after school or as a professional. But as a line-out leader, you also have a lot of pressure on you, and that definitely helped me over the last two or three years – to gain confidence and learn a lot in that aspect."
He doesn't lack support thought, with Coetzee himself giving a glowing endorsement.
"He’s going to do a great job. I spoke to Ruan when it was announced. I think the team is in great hands. I've had him under my wing for a year now and we’re actually great friends," he said.
"You can see he’s got a cool head as well which will come into play with high pressure decisions. I back him all the way."
Influential hooker Johan Grobbelaar, installed as a member of a broader leadership group, also gave a proverbial thumbs-up.
"He's the right man for the job. We know each other well, I've thrown a lot of ball to him. We understand each other," he said.
"Ruan's already had a major responsibility with the line-out calls and organising the set-piece, so this is sort of a natural progression for him. He'll be a success."
The Bulls resume their URC campaign on Saturday against Ospreys.
Kick-off is at 15:00.
