JOHANNESBURG -  Coetzee has set the world alight with his performances in Super Rugby this year and after injuries to Juan Smith and  Schalk Burger he was preferred ahead of a recognised ball fetcher such as Heinrich Brussow but has rewarded the faith bestowed in him by national coach Heyneke Meyer.
 
“To have scored that try from a rolling maul was awesome especially as it was my first for the Boks, just loved it,” Coetzee said after earning his fourth Bok cap.
 
“But I must also add I was fortunate to have been in possession as any of the forwards could have scored that try. It’s a try the forwards deserve as a unit.”
 
During their  27-6 win against Argentina last weekend in the Rugby Championship, the Boks  at times struggled to come to terms with the way the Pumas contested the mauls.
 
“There might have been stages where players have joined from the sides but it’s something we had to deal with and I believe we ended the Test clinically enough,” Coetzee enthused.
 
“I wanted to make my mark in the Bok jersey and the try will stay in my mind for a long period.”
 
Another newcomer, prop Pat Cilliers, who made his debut as replacement along with wing JJ Engelbrecht, said the ice has now broken after all the expectation ahead of his first cap.
 
“There was a lot of pressure before finally getting that first cap but I’m incredibly proud personally and also for my family and friends,” Cilliers said.
 
Cilliers, 25, who was born in Pietermaritzburg, made his provincial debut for the Sharks in 2007 and transferred to the Lions in 2010 after a lack of game time in Durban.
 
“I might have battled initially with the gameplan as some of the guys have been playing for years but in the end it was just a fantastic day and a huge highlight for me,” he said.
 
Initially Cilliers appeared on the field for only nine minutes between the 28th minute and 37th minute when tighthead Jannie du Plessis was being examined for possible concussion, but then late in the second half he became a permanent replacement.
 
“For me it doesn’t matter against which country I’ve made my debut, every game in a Bok jersey is a massive occasion and a big honour, while the build-up was easier for this Test being part of the 22 for the first time,” Cilliers enthused.
 
Meyer used his entire bench in Cape Town, with the only exception being Pat Lambie.