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Botha`s Christmas wish

Friday 21st November 2008

The big one: Bakkies Botha chasing elusive Twickenham victory

What do you get a lock who has already won the biggest prize in rugby union for Christmas? For Bakkies Botha, the answer is simple: a win over England at Twickenham.

Botha, one of the stars of the South Africa side that beat England 15-6 in last year's World Cup final in Paris, has played six Tests against the English in his career and been on the winning side four times.

But he was also a member of the South Africa side lost 32-16 to England at Twickenham in 2004.

And when the Springboks won 25-14 on their last Twickenham appearance two years ago, Botha was nowhere to be seen.

Former Bok coach Jake White, as part of his preparations for the World Cup, had deliberately opted to give emerging players a taste of the big time and leave leading men such as Botha back at home.

Missing that match still rankles with the 54-times capped Botha, whose partnership with Victor Matfield is widely regarded as one of the great second-row combinations.

But Saturday's fixture, South Africa's last Test of 2008, gives Botha the chance to claim that elusive Twickenham triumph.

"It's definitely one of my goals," said the 29-year-old.

"I remember two years ago, some of the guys here weren't part of the team that beat England at Twickenham so it's a big one this weekend.

"There's definitely a home ground advantage, and the crowd, to run out and hear all the people shouting together. It's amazing what the atmopshere is like when the people are with their local team."

Already this month, South Africa have had to cope with the roar of fans at the Millennium Stadium helping inspire a Wales fightback before the Springboks won 20-15.

Last weekend, Murrayfield was energised by the sight of Scotland going 10-0 up before the world champions prevailed 14-10.

"But as professional rugby players and as a Springbok team, we know what we have to do to make a difference on the pitch," Botha said.

England's team, following the withdrawal of prop Andrew Sheridan with the neck injury he sustained during last weekend's 28-14 loss to Australia, features just three survivors from the World Cup final.

"I look forward to every weekend when I see a new pack," said Botha to howls of laughter from the assembled press corps which, in their own way, were a testament to his reputation as an 'enforcer'.

Noise of a different kind has been on the agenda lately after the president of England's Rugby Football Union apologised to Australia's High Commissioner in London for the unsporting booing of the Wallaby goalkickers which was done in response to Wallaby fans booing England's kickers in years gone by.

"Let's be honest, I don't hear that because my head, every time it's in a ruck. International players must be so focused they just cut out distractions," Botha explained.

"But you must give the guy who kicks goals a fair opportunity. That's a gentleman's attitude.

"It doesn't matter for a forward if he is being booed because I never heard of anyone booing when the hooker tries to throw the ball in at a line-out."

This weekend's match will be the Springboks' thirteenth Test in six months and their 20th since the start of the World Cup.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has suggested his players might be mentally, if not physically, fatigued. For Botha, though, this is not an issue.

"I'd rather put my Springbok jersey down on a table and say 'bring a guy in that will give it 100 per cent', rather than go on the pitch and give it 90."