The Springbok and former Cheetahs flyhalf, Johan Goosen, and the center, Harold Vorster, will assist the 24-year-old Nortjé after being named as the vice captains.

In July, Nortjé made his Springbok debut in Bloemfontein after being named on the bench for the 2nd Test against Wales.

Nortjé said that being awarded the captaincy is a big honour and the inspirational Coetzee gave him some solid advice before leaving the Bulls.

"It hasn’t sunk in yet, but maybe on Saturday it will become real. This is a tremendous privilege to lead this bunch of players and to have this opportunity in a franchise with such a great history of players before me is massive."

"I think this is another building block in my game and in my life and I hope that it will be new building blocks that will help me evolve as a human. I hope that I can contribute to the co-development of those around me, I am looking forward to it."

"I am lucky that this is not a one-man job and that I have a strong leadership group around me. We have great mutual respect for one another and I am confident that, collectively, we will continue the great work of advancing the Bulls forward."

"I draw a lot of inspiration from captains before me, the likes of Victor Matfield and Marcell have all been great leaders that I have great admiration for. I grew up watching Victor during my school days, and it is awesome to now follow in those footsteps.

"I am lucky that I have an incredible friendship with Marcell and so I have taken a lot out of his book.

"The one piece of advice he gave me was to be me, not try to do too much and I have taken that to heart.

"He has journeyed with me over the last six weeks and that transition period has helped me gain confidence in assuming this responsibility, which is a wonderful opportunity and I am grateful for the new journey. I have every intention of leading by example," concluded Nortjé.

Saturday at 15:00 the Bulls will tackle the Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria in the URC.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport