#TuksRugby: David Coetzer aims to take control during the 2021 FNB Varsity Cup tournament

Posted on April 15, 2021

Playing flyhalf is the same as being the captain of a ship, according to David Coetzer.

"The flyhalf is the player that must take control—the one who steers the team towards the try line to score points. When I succeed in doing so, it adds confidence. Players feel comfortable when it feels like they know what is happening on the field.

"The most important thing playing flyhalf is to know when to run with the ball and when to kick. The aim is always the same. Identify the space and then plan to play into space," is how Coetzer explains things.

The 22-year old's rugby CV is impressive. In 2018 and 2019, he played for the Junior Springboks. Last year, he was part of the Blue Bulls U-21 team that won the South African Rugby U-21 Championship. He is currently part of the TuksRugby team participating in the bio-bubble 2021 FNB Varsity Cup. 

While at school, Coetzer was also an avid water polo player. He is glad he did play. 

"Playing water polo helped me to be a better rugby player. It is a demanding sport, especially when it comes to the conditioning to be fit. Not only do you swim up and down, but you are also continuously wrestling for the ball. Water polo requires a high level of hand-eye coordination skills." 

He stays with Chris Smith, who plays flyhalf for the Bulls and considers himself lucky as far as role models are concerned.

"Chris is having a significant influence on how I think about rugby and life. When he plays, I try to watch because there is so much I still can learn. 

"What helps is that Chris was a seasoned Varsity Cup 'warrior'. When Maties won the tournament in 2018, he was the flyhalf. We often end up talking rugby, focussing on what flyhalves should do and not do. Chris considers Morne Steyn to be a role model. So it is sort of a chain reaction. What he learns from Morne he passes on to me. 

"But there is more about Chris than just playing rugby. I have learned a lot from him as to how to handle myself in everyday life." 

To relax, Coetzer loves to go hunting or fishing. He is quick to emphasise that he is a "biltong" hunter. 

"I got a lot of respect for animals. I believe the challenge must be even. Hunting for me is about the walk and stalk. Everything we shoot, we shoot for meat." 

- Author Wilhelm De Swardt

Copyright © University of Pretoria 2024. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 Corona Virus South African Resource Portal

To contact the University during the COVID-19 lockdown, please send an email to [email protected]

FAQ's Email Us Virtual Campus Share Cookie Preferences