Springboks lock Bakkies Botha is unrepentant over his controversial suspension last month and vows never to tone down his brutal approach to Test rugby.
Botha shapes as a central figure in the Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand in Durban on Saturday, after throwing his massive frame around Bloemfontein to good effect last weekend’s win over the All Blacks.
The 29-year-old helped his pack gain the ascendency in the trenches, where he can be an intimidating presence.
It has earned him an enforcer reputation, which he treasures dearly.
“I’m loving carrying that label, it’s like Victor Matfield carrying the lineout label, that’s why we’re such a formidable combination (48 Tests as Springboks locks),” Botha said.
“It’s what I’ve done for the last nine years. I’m not going to change and look for grubbers and kicks through the backline and chase them, that’s not my job, okay.
“I’m just going to hit the rucks and do it 100 percent. That’s the game I love.”
Botha was banned for two weeks for his dangerous charge on British and Irish Lions prop Adam Jones during the second test at Pretoria.
Angry that what appeared to be a standard cleanout resulted in suspension, the Springboks players protested in the third test by wearing white armbands carrying the message “Justice 4 Bakkies”.
It earned the South African Rugby Union a misconduct hearing date with the International Rugby Board.
“I know there’s different opinions about the whole situation,” Botha said.
“I’m not going to do anything different from any other game. I’m just going to go out and do my job 100 percent with the gift that god gave me.”
Botha said his driving of Jones — whose injured shoulder ruled him out of the third test — did not differ from the technique used throughout an eight-year test career.
“If you look at the cleanouts all over the world, everybody’s similar, especially for the enforcer type of role like the Brad Thorns and the (Nathan) Sharpes have.
“I’ve put it all behind me and I’m just happy to be on the field again and playing the game I’ve loved for my entire life.”
Botha mentioned All Blacks lock Thorn several times when discussing an anticipated backlash from the tourists.
He believed Thorn was cut from the same intimidatory cloth, something the 34-year-old Cantabrian laughed at when it was put to him.
“We’re both very good looking men. I’m not ashamed to say that,” Thorn said.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Australian rugby has many problems - financial crisis, ever-shrinking audiences, shortage of coaching expertise, Greg Martin, etc etc. But one problem which I have…
By my count, the Brumbies have played three teams of consequence this season. The first two - the Chiefs and Blues - thrashed them…
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan says it’s “purely coincidental” that Semipeni Finau has put on a massive, late hit on a fourth fly-half in nine…
He was born 1905, 1904 or 1908 according to various reports, in Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, and is remembered as one of the great Māori players.
I don’t really get the comparisons between Joey Manu and Sonny Bill Williams. I realise they have the Roosters in common, along with a…
All Blacks star Jordie Barrett has announced a sabbatical to play with Irish club Leinster at year's end, while committing his future to New…
