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.
Knives Out
Guest
I disagree, Matty. Any reasonably good victory by the Boks is followed by a huge amount of kiss-arsing and references to greatness in the media as if people need to lavish excess praise upon them to counter their traditional negative points which reoccur with great consistency.
mattyp
Guest
Greg, that's harsh on Thorn to say he "goes missing".. He is always in the thick of it, he's a true gritty second row. Since Hayman left he's been the heart and soul of the AB pack, I think. As for your "stats" - you are assuming some kind of "reversion to the mean" (pun intended)? And that his is proof that the Saffers have been unfairly viewed, and that once this injustice is righted, they will be freed up to fly? I'm with Peter K - do the crime, do the time. I think the stats are reflective of the true state of affairs and people like you are simply being apologistic. The Boks should be under pressure to clean up their act. There's been a constant stream of incidents in recent years - biting (remember the photos of Brendan Cannon's shoulder?), gouging, squirrel-gripping, against this team. It's pathetic that their supporters can talk eloquently about their rugby and yet constantly overlook this constant thuggish behaviour. While this victim mentality persists - that armband crap was a low point - the Boks will never receive the recognition which they should.
Peter K
Guest
The reason the boks have so many more citings and red and yellow cards is because they are the dirtiest team out of the 3. If you indulge in more foul play you will get booked more, simple really.
Warren
Guest
Greg, as a matter of fact, I am a South African. Whilst your stereotyping is interesting, your point re offence book is well taken.
Jerry G
Guest
How do you spear tackle someone who lands on their (well cushioned) arse?
Greg Smith
Guest
'Attitude of a gentleman' - interesting perception I guess widely promoted by not backed with universal agreement Although I thought Thorn had some talent a season or two ago, he's 'disappeared' of late. It's funny how different camps have completely different views because I think most South Africans have exactly the same contempt (if not more because he 'gets away' with it) for Thorn as others have for Bakkies Botha. It's practically a part of the game to soil the name and reputation of the opposition, isn't it ? Fairly or unfairly at times Brad Thorn gets his share from South Africans who refuse to forget his idiotic off-the-ball spear tackle of their hero, legendary World Cup winning captain John Smit (which they'll argue cost them the Tri Nations as a result of his injury withdrawal for the season). That some regard Thorn as 'a gentleman' doesn't surprise me though. New Zealand have very successfully marketed their image of 'hard but fair'. Whether that's actual been true, is another matter entirely. South Africa have been sold as 'mean spirited' and intrinsically dirty - Bakkies Botha vs Brad Thorn is an interesting one. I've always felt this 'image marketing' does influence that game on the field itself. A quick look at the 'offence book' (yellow, red cards and citings) since 2000 shows referee's have indeed been suckered - South Africa 60, Australia 25, New Zealand 25. As that equation is totally unacceptable, I predict an era of South African domination, as Australia and New Zealand return to the mean.
Warren
Guest
Great chirp from Thorn. The more I see of him, the more I like him. He is hard, uncompromising and yet maintains the attitude of a gentleman. Something for youngsters to aspire to and our game needs more like him.
Matt
Guest
Thought the exact same thing. If Sharpe is our enforcer, it's handbags at 10 paces.
Christopher
Guest
Robbie Deans says the Wallabies need more mongrel? How can you play with mongrel when you're forced to play in a powder puff jersey that looks like its been pinched from the costume department of a B-grade super hero movie. Seriously, would you pull that one one with pride and a sense of mongrel - or pride and a sense of embarrassment? It's not the players or the coach at fault ... it's the jersey!!!!
USRugbyFan
Guest
Nathan Sharpe an enforcer!? Haha, haha. Oh, man sorry, but that just brought a tear to my eye.
Spencer
Guest
Wrong team list - you have Ruan Pienaar at flyhalf for the boks.