Bakkies Botha facts for kids
Bakkies Botha, dressed in the Springbok change kit after a pre-match warm up
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| Birth name | John Philip Botha | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 22 September 1979 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Newcastle, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 2.02 m (6 ft 7+1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 124 kg (273 lb; 19 st 7 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | HTS Middelburg and Vereeniging HTS, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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John Philip Botha (born 22 September 1979), known to many as Bakkies Botha, is a famous former South African rugby union player. He played as a lock, a key position in the team. Bakkies was a big part of the Springbok squad that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. He also helped them win two Tri Nations titles in 2004 and 2009.
Botha played for top clubs like Toulon in France and the Blue Bulls and Bulls in South Africa. He won the Heineken Cup/European Rugby Champions Cup three times with Toulon. Bakkies Botha was well-known for his strong partnership with fellow lock Victor Matfield, both for their province and for the Springboks.
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Rugby Career Highlights
Bakkies Botha started his journey in rugby playing for the under-19 and under-23 Springbok teams. He then joined the South African "A" team in 2001. His big break came in 2002 when he was chosen for the Springbok team. He made his first international appearance against France in Marseille.
Playing Style and Nickname
Over the years, Botha and his Blue Bulls teammate Victor Matfield formed a very strong partnership as locks. They were a tough pair for any opposing team to face. Bakkies Botha was known as one of the most physical locks in rugby. Because of his powerful playing style, he earned the nickname "The Enforcer."
Disciplinary Incidents
Bakkies Botha's strong playing style sometimes led to controversial moments on the field. In his debut game against France, he received a yellow card for a foul play incident.
In 2003, he faced disciplinary action during a game against the Wallabies. He was suspended for eight weeks for a challenging play.
Later, in 2009, he received a three-match ban for an incident during a Super 14 match.
In June 2009, while playing for South Africa against the British & Irish Lions, Botha was banned for two weeks. This was for a dangerous clear-out during a ruck that injured Lions player Adam Jones. Jones later said that Botha should not have been banned, calling it a "fair ruck from a hard player." In support of Botha, the entire South African team wore armbands with 'Justice 4' on them in the next match.
In May 2010, Botha was suspended for four weeks for another dangerous clear-out during a Super 14 game. This was his first match as captain of the Bulls.
On 10 July 2010, during a Tri Nations Series test against New Zealand, Botha received a nine-week suspension for an incident involving an opponent's head.
Major Team Wins
Despite the disciplinary issues, Bakkies Botha had a very successful career. He won the Currie Cup three times with the Blue Bulls (in 2002, 2004, and 2009). He was also a key player for the Bulls when they won the Super 14 title in 2007, 2009, and 2010.
After moving to France, he continued his winning streak with Toulon. He won the Heineken Cup/European Rugby Champions Cup three times in a row (2013, 2014, and 2015). This makes him one of the most decorated players in the world of rugby.
Achievements and Recognition
Bakkies Botha was nominated for the SA Player of the Year award in 2003, 2004, and 2005.
In 2013, a French rugby publication called Midi Olympique voted him the best No. 4 lock to ever play the game. At that time, he was one of only two active players on their "best XV" list.
He is the only player in rugby union history to have won a "hat trick" of both Super Rugby and European rugby titles. This means he won three of each competition.
Team Honours
Blue Bulls
- Vodacom Cup: 2001
- Currie Cup: 2002, 2004, 2006 (draw), 2009
Bulls
- Super Rugby: 2007, 2009, 2010
Toulon
- Heineken Cup European Champions/European Rugby Champions Cup: 2013, 2014, 2015
- Top 14 French League : 2014
South Africa
- World Cup: 2007
- Tri-Nations: 2004, 2009
- British & Irish Lions series win: 2009
- Mandela Challenge Plate: 2005, 2009
- Freedom Cup: 2004, 2009
- Prince William Cup: 2007, 2008, 2010
Life After Rugby
Since retiring from professional rugby, Bakkies Botha has started his own business. As of 2019, he runs a butchery business in South Africa called "Bakkies the Butcher."
See also
In Spanish: Bakkies Botha para niños
