Terrifying footage of Bakkies Botha debut shows that he’s always been the Enforcer
Video footage has just surfaced online showcasing the debut of one of the world’s greatest locks – Bakkies Botha.
If ever there was a debut that would epitomise a players career, it was this.
The 6ft 6in lock was instrumental in the game right from the off with hard-hitting carries that immediately demonstrated what an asset he was to be to his country.
The Bulls man wasn’t afraid to front up to his French opponents and was constantly looking to assert his dominance in all areas of the game(on and off the ball).
In the 32nd minute, Botha was called over by referee Alain Rolland for an altercation that had taken place in the ruck and adjudged that he, ‘saw a knee go into the ribs, to the man that was on the floor’. This was enough for Rolland to send Botha to the bin for ten minutes.
On second viewing of the replay, we can see Bakkies ‘the enforcer’ giving his man on the floor both knees and a couple of studs for good measure. All in a days work for the 22-year-old.
This Bakkies Botha debut was not one to missed
This match was also significant for being the debut of another Springbok legend in Jean De Villiers.
Unfortunately for the former South African skipper, it was to be the debut from hell with the centre suffering a major knee injury five minutes into the game.
It wasn’t to be on the day for South Africa with the visitors eventually running out as 10-30 winners but this fixture will go down for Springbok fans as the game in which they blooded two World Cup-winning sons.
In other news…
Blue Bulls bring back big Bok from Toulon
The Blue Bulls have confirmed that they are bringing back Springbok prop, Marcel van der Merwe, after a stint with French Top 14 club Toulon. The powerful yet mobile front-rower will join the Vodacom Bulls as of July 2020.
The 6’2, 128kg prop made 7 appearances for the Springboks between 2014 and 2015. Van der Merwe established himself at the Vodacom Bulls when he made the move from Bloemfontein in 2014 after making his Vodacom Super Rugby debut for the Toyota Cheetahs.
