Bakkies Botha Springbok lock of the Vodacom Blue Bulls have been out for most of the S14 season, making his return only last week against the Sharks. This is what he had to say on his game in an interview with Sport24
J.J. Harmse
Pretoria – Bakkies Botha is ready for Brad Thorn and whoever else comes along his path in the Super 14.
The fiery Bulls lock was delighted at making his first start of the year against the Sharks at the weekend and is now eager to get his game to “the high standards of my team-mates” as soon as possible.
The next step to that is Friday night against the Crusaders, for whom Thorn has proved himself as New Zealand’s version of Botha.
“We will always respect the Crusaders as a team. Their history is testimony to that (them deserving of respect) and I believe they will come to Loftus to prove a point,” Botha said from next to the Bulls’ soaking wet training field.
“But that does not mean you can’t get stuck into them. Thorn is a tough opponent, but I’m ready for him.”
The wet fields of the past week or two boosted Botha’s confidence.
“Yes, on the one hand it was a good thing that the fields were so wet as it placed more pressure on the ankle and that is why I’m very satisfied with how I came through training and matches, even if my body is stiff,” he said.
Botha feels it was also to his advantage that there were more rolling mauls.
“The game is then contested on my terms a little more. I’m happy when there are more mauls,” he said.
The new interpretation of the breakdown laws have required Botha to adapt, but he enjoys it.
“The new laws lead to more mauls, so I enjoy it,” he said.
“The ball is in play more, but it gives the bigger guys chance to carry the ball more often. You definitely have to be fitter than a year or two ago.”
Botha is as delighted to be joining the side as his team-mates are about welcoming him back.
“I did not expect to be out of action for so long, but am eager to do my bit again. The other locks in the team played superbly when I was not there, so I have big shoes to fill,” said Botha.
“That is why I want to be ready as soon as possible. The match fitness is not there yet, but I’m working hard to get to the same level as my team-mates.”
According to Botha, the one thing that has not changed about the Bulls’ game is their ability to remain patient.
“The team is older and wiser and there is a lot of experience in the brains trust. The game is analysed, we adapt and the correct decisions are taken on the field,” said Botha.
“Look at how often we trail at half-time. But by staying patient we manage to turn it around.”
Botha believes the team’s spiritual and physical approach is right.
“We just need to fine-tune a little every week. If we’re clinical and use our chances, we will win on Friday.”
86 – Ash you going to be 40!!… Jinnie that is very young, You want to swap places with me for a day…hehehe.
40 is a big birthday you going to do something to celebrate?
ok ouens
lunch
92 – Ash, enjoy it.
@ 89 😆
Wag tot die 15de Mei dan gaan jy weer die knope inryg !!! 🙄
Lyk my almal het nou gaan VREET-SAAM verkeer…
So terloops, die Bulle kan dalk die naweek hul eerste beker vir die jaar wen teen die Cheetahs in die Vodacom Cup finaal, nadat hulle die SharksIV met 33 – 3 verslaan het in die semi’s…
Enigste onoorwonne span in die kompetisie !!!
GO BULLE !!! 👿
94 – Blouste, so looking foward to that game. Going to be massive. Remember last year when Bulls had to beat Sharks to get a home semi? That was a monster of a game. Bulls winning by one point. Hope the Stormer/Bulls game is that exciting. Think it will be. Unless you guys get 5 points this week then really don’t have to play your best side, rather rest the players for the final.
96 – meant rest players for the semi.
Ok guys I’m off for a bit.
Till later…
Back all. I think that the Sharks are a far more physical side than the Stormers but there backs are awesome so they are going to run the Bulls really close. Cant wait to see that game.
I wonder how the Sharks season would have been if Hernandez was playing, Jacobs was fit and Murray caught a wake up and learned how to pass the ball..
100 – Winston, If we had Hernandez, Murray playing like he did in 2007. Frans Steyn at inside Centre, Mvovo instead of Odwa. Don’t think we would be in this position but rather in the top 4 right now. Pity our Forwards were really good, our backs were not up to it. Except Ruan and Lambie.
blouste @ 89
lol, moenie worry nie
ek begin al maandag. kannie wag nie!!
#57&61
I just want to reiterate what rudi said in posting 61
unless there was any other press conference that we are not aware of , the said nonsence about plumtree is total rubbish
HE made no such statements
103 – Sharky, Just as I thought. I asked Rob this morning to come over here to read Rudi’s post and to put up a thread in Sharksworld for us to clear Plums name. Rob did just that so full credit to Rob.
Ref for Bulls/Saders – Jonker
Ref for Sharks/Stormers – Dickinson.
Now that is the 4th time Stormers get him and probably about the 11th or 12th time Bulls get a saffa ref 😀
105@ Puma – Oh shit… Bulls lost their only 2 matches with Jonker as Referee…
Dick will blow us out of the game Puma,he seems to have a love affair with the Stormers the way he blew the Crusaders off the Park last week..
106 – gbs, 😳 Forgot…..haha. Still maybe he will be different on home turf 😆
107 – Winston, Stormers got terrible calls from in against the Force, I think they know now how he blows so that is a advantage for them.
Though really no matter which ref we get for Saturday, we are a goner without: Smit, Albert, Deysel, Muller, Bissy and JPP. As if we had JPP I would have dropped Odwa for Mvovo.
We going to be tooooooooooo lightweight now with our Forwards. No chance for us Winston no matter who refs and even if it is at the Tank. Huge pity we have so many injuries.
Agreed Puma,we will get smashed by 15 points or so minimum on Saturday,their bodies must be smashed after that war with the Bulls on Saturday.. I wish all South African teams put their bodies on the lines like that against overseas teams.
110@ Winnie – With all those players out injured, prepare to be beaten by 25 PLUS on Saturday…
Whether we lose by one point or forty points.. Losing still sucks!!
Bakkies should really shut the fluck up. Remember last yera when he was telling us that he feels no pain? Next thing he had a sore leg and was in too much pain to play until now.
He should be more like JuanSmith and Andre Venter and let his actions on the field do the talking for him.
bakkies word nou oud
moet op pensioen gaan 😆
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