Legendary Springbok enforcer Bakkies Botha has been included among former England captain Jonny Wilkinson’s standout players he played with during his career.
Selecting a four-man list on Ruck.co.uk, Wilkinson named Botha alongside ex-Ireland and British & Irish Lions skipper Brian O’Driscoll and former Newcastle falcons teammates Pat Lam and Gary Armstrong.
The heavy-handed Bok lock earned 85 Test caps as perhaps the most decorated player in the history of professional rugby. Botha did it all in a 16-year career that began at the Falcons in 1999 and ended at French giants Toulon in 2015.
He won a Rugby World Cup (2007), the 2009 series against the British & Irish Lions, the Rugby Championship (2004, 2009), Super Rugby (2007, 2009, 2010), the Currie Cup (2002, 2004, 2006, 2009), Vodacom Cup (2001) and, after joining Toulon in 2011, won Europe’s Champions Cup three times (2013, 2014, 2015) and the Top 14 title in 2014.
“Someone incredibly fierce but very, very down to earth” and “at times he’s exactly what a team needs,” Wilkinson was quoted by Ruck.co.uk.
The post Bakkies makes Wilko’s shortlist appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
