Botha back with the Bulls
Bulls lock Bakkies Botha has been named in the side that will face the Sharks in the Super 14 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Bulls lock Bakkies Botha has been named in the side that will face the Sharks in the Super 14 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday – a move that flies in the face of rumours linking the big Bok to a move to Toulon.
The French club is adamant that Botha has put pen to paper on a a lucrative three-month deal, announcing that the he would be arriving in town this week.
But the Bulls have dismissed the claims as “speculative nonsense”, repeatedly stated that they hold a binding five-year contract with the lock.
The Pretorians have now underlined the point by picking Botha to start on Saturday despite the fact that he is not yet fully match fit; he has not laced his boots in anger since picking up an ankle injury whilst on national duty in Wales in November.
“Bakkies looks fresh and the match will determine how long he is going to be on the field,” said Bulls coach Frans Ludeke.
“He is obviously not ready for the full 80 minutes but it is wonderful to have him in the team because apart from all his other attributes he is one of those players that can turn a game around and it great to have another very experienced guy on the field.”
There has been no comment from Toulon but the Bulls have threatened to go to the International Rugby Board (IRB) if Botha attempts to break his existing contract.
The player has long been regarded as one of the world's best second row forwards and, along with Victor Matfield (now at Toulon), formed a partnership seen by most observers as the best in Test rugby.
Despite all the claims and counter claims, Botha has so far not made any public comment as to his intentions but his inclusion in the Bulls squad for this weekend's game suggests he may have accepted the fact that Toulon's efforts to sign him have either stalled or collapsed altogether.
Botha replaces Danie Rossouw who will play flank alongside Wikus van Heerden.
Ludeke has also opted for Morné Steyn ahead of Derick Hougaard at fly-half, saying that the Bulls were privileged to have two world-class pivots in their ranks.
“Morné gets game time because of our squad system and I am fully confident in his abilities,” he said.
“It is not widespread that one fly-half plays all the games in the Super 14 and this is a good opportunity to give him a chance.”
Meanwhile, Akona Ndungane has recovered from his stress fracture and will start on the right wing.
The Bulls suffered a heavy defeat to the Crusaders last week and captain Fourie du Preez has tasked his troops to bounce back.
“We have been in this position before and we will take it game by game,” said the scrum-half.
“There is a lot of character in the Bulls team and I am confident that we can get back on track.”
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner; 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JP Nel, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Danwel Demas, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez (captain), 8 Pedrie Wanneburg, 7 Wikus van Heerden, 6 Danie Rossouw, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Rayno Gerber, 2 Derick Kuün, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 James van der Walt, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Jaco Engels, 19 Deon Stegmann, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Derick Hougaard, 22 John Mametsa.
Date: Saturday, 1 March
Kick-off: 19:05 (17:05 GMT)
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Touch judges: Willie Roos (South Africa), Joey Salmans (South Africa)
Television match official: Johan Meuwesen (South Africa)
Assessor: Arrie Schoonwinkel (South Africa)