World of Boxing and Rugby Union
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9. Bakkies Botha
Botha is a giant of South African rugby and boasts a rugby CV that includes Rugby World Cup, Tri-Nations, Super 14 and Currie Cup success.
An U19, U23 and South Africa 'A' international, Botha made his senior bow against France in 2002 and has since gone on to cement his place in the Springboks' ranks and form arguably the strongest second row partnership in world rugby alongside Victor Matfield.
He was part of South Africa's squad for the 2003 Rugby World Cup, scoring three tries, and would later help propel the Boks to only their second Tri-Nations crown. By that stage the indiscipline problems that had plagued the early part of his career appeared to have been banished under the influence of coach Jake White.
His second Rugby World Cup appearance followed in 2007 where he played a pivotal role in the Springboks' charge to the sport's biggest crown.
By the end of 2008 they had appeared alongside each other an incredible 46 times with Botha quoted as saying, "Sometimes I feel we know each other better than we know our wives." Sometime overshadowed by his second row partner, Botha more than holds his own in the lineout, and in the loose, and is seen as South Africa's enforcer.
Controversy struck in the 2009 British & Irish series. In the second Test at Loftus Versfeld, Botha cleaned out a ruck with his normal vigour. Unfortunately, Lions prop Adam Jones’ arm was caught in the crossfire and the Welshman suffered a dislocated shoulder. The Boks won the game and clinched the series courtesy of a last minute long-range penalty from Morné Steyn. However, Botha was controversially suspended for two weeks, a decision even Jones himself condemned. The entire South African team wore white armbands with ‘Justice 4 Bakkies’ written on them in the third and final Test in protest and were subsequently charged by the IRB for bringing the game into disrepute. Botha and the Boks followed up the series win by clinching the Tri-Nations for the third time.
Botha has been at the top of his craft for well over a decade now and has been a key player along side Victor Mayfield. They have been joined at the hip for a long time now so that's why he's here.