SA Rugbymag

South African rugby news, fixtures, results, video, interviews, and more. Covering the Springboks, Bulls, Stormers/Western Province, Sharks, Cheetahs, Kings and Lions, as well as schools and club rugby.

Primary Menu Search
  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals

You are here: Home ∼ Botha out to earn Bok recall

Botha out to earn Bok recall

Munster flank Arno Botha Botha out to earn Bok recall
Published on November 29, 2018 | Leave a response

Munster loose forward Arno Botha has not given up hope of playing for the Springboks again.

Botha joined Munster from London Irish, linking up with former Bulls and Bok assistant coach Johann van Graan as well as junior teammate CJ Stander.

Botha earned the last of his two Bok caps in 2013, when a knee injury stalled his progress, but has refused to draw a line under his Test career.

‘To stay in Europe is the goal,’ Botha told the media in Ireland. ‘I know if I’m good enough, I can still make the South African squad and make that team. But again it’s a case of having respect for players who stay [in South Africa].

‘It would be great to play for South Africa again, but at the moment it is not something I think of daily. Their season is also over and only starts again in June, and I know that Rassie [Erasmus] has been working with a plan working towards the World Cup.

‘Rassie has been working with a lot of those guys in his career and he has a plan. If I can make it playing out of Europe, it would be the perfect world.’

The 27-year-old has started the last couple of Pro14 matches and impressed in the absence of Stander, but with the Ireland international back from Test duty, he knows he has to work hard to retain his place.

‘We played 2011 in the Currie Cup and for the U20s, 21s and won a trophy together,’ Botha said on his relationship with Stander. ‘We weren’t really good friends then, but we are now. We speak and joke a lot about that.

‘You have to respect the guys here, the loose forwards, especially Pete [O’Mahony] and CJ being British & Irish Lions players. It’s not every guy who can say he is that. You have to respect that, and then do what you can do and make the team better and make myself better to make that starting lineup.

‘Of course the competition is tough, but I don’t think about it like that,’ Botha added ‘At Munster, we try to make the team better and if I can do that in any way I can, then I will do so.’

Posted in Pro14, Top headlines Tagged Arno Botha, Munster, Pro14

Post by SA Rugby magazine

SA Rugby magazine

MPU #1 - (DESKTOP SIZE 300x250 / MOBILE SIZE 320x50, 300x250, 320x100)
← Previous Next →

Ratings: Du Toit one of the few standouts for Boks

The Boks faded in the second half to slump to a 22-17...

Five key areas the Boks need to dominate for first victory

SA Rugby magazine highlights five crucial areas the Boks will need to...

Duhan should be celebrated for his Lions success

Duhan van der Merwe’s achievements should be truly appreciated by South Africans,...

JdV: Boks-Lions have everything to play for

Performing in empty stadiums will be a key factor in the series...

Dynamic Dayimani: Forward to back

While he has been signed as an ‘edge’ forward, Hacjivah Dayimani could...

Boks have muscle memory to rely on

Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber are experts at finding solutions to tricky...

Top six: Best and worst foreign imports

SARugbymag.co.za identifies six of the best and worst foreign players to play...

Column: When context is needed

As highlighted by the Argentina controversy, ‘cancel culture’ needs a spoonful of...

Dark cloud hangs over WP Rugby

The problems at Western Province Rugby are layered, and everyone involved needs...

From the mag: Foreign Favourites

As Vodacom Super Rugby turned 25 this year, JON CARDINELLI picks an...

Bulls rookies to watch

After a massive exodus of players the Vodacom Bulls will be eager...

Analysis: The new suffocate-and-strangle game

For the Boks to emerge as World Cup winners, they need to...

VIEW MORE
  • Team graphics: Springboks vs B&I Lions
  • Boks vs Lions (1st Test): Predict and WIN!
  • Lions team announcement: Duhan to front Boks
  • Teams: SA A vs Bulls
Boks

Why the Boks should be bullish

There is good reason for the Springboks to enter the British & Irish Lions series with confidence, writes MARK KEOHANE in the latest SA Rugby magazine.

  • Watch: Did Gatland’s words influence Jonker?


COVID-19 Corona Virus
South African Resource Portal

ABOUT

  • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Videos
  • Player Features
  • Subscribe
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy

TOURNAMENTS

    • Rugby Championship
    • Super Rugby
    • Currie Cup
    • Varsity Cup
    • Gold Cup
    • Schools
    • Six Nations
    • Champions Cup
    • World Cup

OPINION

  • Mallett on SuperSport
  • Cardinelli column
  • Lewis column
  • Xabanisa column
  • Borchardt column
  • Superbru

Primary Menu

  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals
×