ULSTER RUGBY HAVE confirmed the signing of South African flanker Marcell Coetzee on an three-year deal.

The 28-times capped Springbok will join at the conclusion of the Super Rugby season this summer despite having almost a year and a half left on his deal with the Sharks.

Less Kiss had promised fans of the province an ‘exciting signing’ to fill the Non-Irish Qualified (NIQ) spot freed up by the departure of Nick Williams to Cardiff and he has not disappointed with the highly-rated Coetzee who can play anywhere across the back row.

The 24-year-old will join fellow Springboks Ruan Pienaar and Franco van der Merwe this summer while Charles Piutau will also link up with the province for the 2016/17 campaign.

Announcing the move Kiss said:

“It is a major coup for us to sign a player of Marcell’s quality and experience. His age profile, positional versatility, leadership ability and character were some of the key ingredients as to why he was such an important target for us.

“He has played most of his international rugby between 6 and 7, but he has also played a huge amount at number 8, where we feel he could have a big impact for Ulster. That versatility is absolutely vital for us, as not only can Marcell be hugely effective across the three positions, but this can also accommodate the development of a number of our home-grown Irish-qualified players.

“Being appointed as the Sharks’ vice-captain for the season shows that even at the young age of 24, Marcell has undoubted leadership ability. On the park, with his skilled and aggressive approach, he clearly leads from the front.”

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