Os du Randt was interviewed and this is what he had to say on the Bakkies Botha story…

JJ Harmse

Wellington – Springbok legend Os du Randt believes Bakkies Botha has reached a crossroads in his rugby career.

There is no reason why Botha cannot wear the Green and Gold again, but then he will have to solve his problems at psychological level.

“I think Bakkies is really sorry and knows that he went too far this time,” Du Randt said in the wake of the drama in which the Bok lock headbutted All Black scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan.

“He will have to work hard on the psychological aspect of his game and try and remove those instinctive moments. He will have to programme his brain not to do it again,” said Du Randt.

“I could see that he was really sorry. In the past there was always a feeling that perhaps he was dealt with harshly or that it was a fifty-fifty call. It has also been said that he is picked on. He realises that this time he was the idiot, no-one else.”

Du Randt said he had told Botha at half-time that he was upset with him, but afterwards accepted the player’s sincere regret.

He added that there was absolutely no way that Botha’s action had been pre-meditated.

“It’s an instinctive reaction because he’s such an aggressive player. That is why it’s so important that he rids himself of the rage,” said Du Randt.

Asked whether he believed that the image of Bok rugby had suffered Du Randt said, “Unfortunately yes, that image of Bakkies will determine how people perceive the Springboks for the next few weeks. We can change that with good rugby. Winning rugby will help make those perceptions disappear.”