Bakkies Botha

Bakkies Botha

Heyneke Meyer & Jean de Villiers

Heyneke Meyer & Jean de Villiers

Heyneke Meyer paid tribute to Bakkies Botha, who announced his retirement from international rugby shortly after the Test.

“Bakkies will go down in history as one of the greatest Springboks of all time,” said Meyer of the 85-times capped lock forward. “He is a giant on the field and off it and never gave an inch, which personifies what Springbok rugby is all about.

“I’ve coached him for a very long time and while I’m immensely very proud of the player he’s become, I’m even more proud of the man Bakkies has become. I’ll forever be very proud of having been his coach.”

De Villiers added that emotions ran high in the Springboks’ change room when Botha broke the news of his international retirement to the touring squad.

“We made our debut for South Africa together against France in Marseille in 2002 and it’s been a massive honour to play with a Springbok legend for 12 years. He always put his body on the line for the jersey and it’s with a heavy heart that we said our goodbyes to a giant of SA rugby tonight.”

5 Responses to End Of Year Tours: Springboks – Heyneke Meyer & Jean de Villiers pay tribute to Bakkies Botha

  • 1

    Should have retired from international duties after 2011 RWC. Guthro, when is it your turn? See the light, useless vetgat.

  • 2

    So Old Bakkies bows out.

    With Style and Grace.

    But lets get real here folks…………………………………………….this was perhaps the filthiest player to ever pull on a jersey in the Professional era.

    You name The Crime. Bakkies did the time.
    Head butts and Upper cuts.
    Bites and Fights.
    Gouging and Elbowing.

    Once or twice even to his own Team-mates.

    Which brings to mind an old adversary of mine from the Voldy days.

    I Love Bakkies Botha. ………………………………Bakkies I toast you. We may have differed, but WTF. We are all different.

  • 3

    2 @ cane:
    Oh, for goodness sakes, put your other eye in too… you look so squint with just one biased eye!

    Happy-Grin

  • 4

    so long ou grote dalk kan jy volgende jaar n seisoen by die cheetahs in kry,dan het jy nou regtig elke boksie getick wat n rugby speler kan wens om te tick

  • 5

    Bakkies never played with protective gear like shoulder pads or headgear.

    Cramped his style.

    Defines the physicality of Bok rugby.

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