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The ex-Springbok back row dreaming of a Test recall
Ex-Springbok flanker Arno Botha is dreaming of a recall to the national team in July after his form skyrocketed in this season’s Guinness PRO14. Botha scored a hat-trick of tries against Southern Kings last Friday night when Munster side ran riot in a season when he is consistently impressed for the Irish province.
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The ex-Bulls loose forward, who was capped twice for the Springboks before injury curtailed his national chances, has delighted those watching him in the PRO14 to such an extent that the performances may well catch the eye of the South African management.
While loose forwards are never a position where there isn’t an overflow of talent in South Africa, Botha admits he still dreams about pulling the Test jersey over his head once more. “It will always be something (I want). It isn’t something that will die easily. I still have the desire to be the best, even though it might seem like a long road.
“I will work every day as if it is the day I can perform to my optimal form. I always say if I stop hoping to play for South Africa then I might stop playing rugby. Then there is no motivation to do it,” he explained. “I love rugby and love playing at the top level. To play for your country is the best way to prove that. I definitely have hope for that.
“If it is more difficult to do it from Munster, then it is fine and it is a challenge. I knew that going there. The guys in the team are doing a good job and they deserve it. You can’t take anything away from that team at the moment – they perform to a high level.”
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Botha added that while most SA players in Europe would be looking towards the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour, he is hoping to catch the selectors’ eye for the upcoming July Test games against Georgia and Scotland.
“That is definitely one of my goals. Not just 2021 but 2020 June Tests, November Tests, Tri-Nations. But the first step is to perform week in and out for Munster and I can’t do more than that. They can’t pick me if I don’t do what I have to do. It is up to me to do it.
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“My motivation is there and I’m excited to challenge myself against guys I’m playing against. I have to challenge myself to be better than them. That excites me every week to see if I can do it.”
After several years where injuries curtailed his game, Botha’s time at Munster has been the answer to his prayers. His injuries are gone and now he is enjoying every minute he gets on the playing field. “I think back about it a lot. If you think about the injuries in 2013 and 2014 on my knees, and then couldn’t get a break in 2015 – where I got a hammy, a back injury and my shoulder. Then in 2017, I had a shoulder, so it didn’t work out well.
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“But now I’ve played more than 30 games without niggles. I’m very blessed and fortunate. The guys at Munster look well after me and I’m enjoying my time there. The team makes it easy for me. I’m fortunate to be in a team that is top five in Europe at the moment.
“I enjoy my work because I’m at one of the top clubs and anything else is just an add-on. If it is already great, then there aren’t a lot of things that can go wrong. There aren’t going to be too many people who are bad if the team is top five in Europe.
There's a family feel about Munster's latest set of contract announcements.https://t.co/Iexbl7Vxkz
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 27, 2020
“It is difficult to get to a mindset where I say I’m in the same form because it was five or six years ago (when I last played Test rugby). It is a long time but I’m not far off it. I don’t think I’ve been this fit and strong and feeling good about myself in a long time. You get confidence from playing.
“Maybe I’m there, but I don’t know it. Rugby has changed so much since then that maybe I am there. My challenge to myself is to get better every day. It doesn’t matter what I am doing, whether it is defence, attack or tackling, I just want to get better at it and try to be the best at it. What better place to be doing it than at Munster.”
WATCH: Schalk Brits speaks to RugbyPass about bringing the William Webb Ellis trophy back to South Africa
Comments on RugbyPass
Sly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to comments