Bakkies calls time as a Bok
BAKKIES Botha, one of the most colourful characters in South African rugby, called time on his test career after the Springboks’ 22-6 win over Italy in Padova.
Botha made his test debut on November 9, 2002 against France in Marseille and his 85th and final appearance for SA was last Saturday when he came on as a replacement in the 31-28 win over England at Twickenham.
During a stellar career the 35-year-old lock won the Rugby World Cup with the Springboks in 2007 and was victorious at almost every other level.
He has winners’ medals from the Rugby Championship (TriNations), British & Irish Lions Series, Super Rugby, Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup, as well as the Heineken Cup and French Top 14.
“It is a decision that I’ve been mulling over since 2011,” he said. “When I limped off the field during the Rugby World Cup in 2011 with an Achilles injury, I knew that I did not leave on my terms and that I didn’t say goodbye to the Bok jersey like I had wanted to.
“What was ‘ my terms’? I wanted to leave the jersey behind knowing I honoured the men who wore it before me. More importantly, I wanted to show to the men who would go on to play in the jersey after me what it meant to put your life on the line for your country and the Springboks. I did not manage to do that and it left a burning desire within me to keep on working hard to perhaps don that famous jersey one more time.
“I recovered fully from my injury and was privileged to be involved with a world-class French club. I had wonderfully supportive teammates and sup- CHEERS: Bakkies Botha has retired porters at Toulon in France, but deep inside, I still had a burning desire to play just one more time for SA.
“Upon my return to the squad in 2014 I encountered even more good young locks coming through the ranks, as well as my old friend Victor Matfield. I was very happy to start at Loftus Versfeld against Argentina, a venue which is very dear to me. Despite my involvement and contribution on the day, the question dawned upon me — what will my role be for the Springboks going forward, and will my involvement be in the team’s best interests, building up to the Rugby World Cup in 2015?
“It’s time for me to step down and to hand over the mantle to the next Springbok generation,” he said.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer said: “Emotional week for me because I’ve coached Bakkies since he was 19. He’s respected around the world and has grown into a wonderful person. I didn’t think he’d last a week in Toulon but he did and has been successful. Bakkies told me he couldn’t put his body on the line in every training [session] and every match. He said he owes it to the jersey and he is too proud to go out there and get a jersey for free.”
Botha is the seventh mostcapped Springbok of all time.