Bakkies Botha back against Sharks for his 100th
Legendary Vodacom Bulls lock Bakkies Botha will play in his 100th Super Rugby match for his team when they take on the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Botha recovered from the knee strain that kept him out of last weekend’s match against the Stormers and is the one of two changes to the starting line-up of the side that won in Cape Town.
Botha combines with Victor Matfield at lock again, which means that Danie Rossouw moves to the bench, where he replaces Derick Kuün. Chiliboy Ralepelle and Gary Botha swops around in their rotational switch which see each of the two internationals play two matches on the trot.
Coach Frans Ludeke also made two more changes to the bench.
Fourie du Preez is fit again after ligament damage to his knee and is included on the bench, replacing Dustin Jinka, while Akona Ndungane was picked in place of Stephan Dippenaar.
Botha said it was an incredible honour and privilege to play his 100th match in front of his home crowd.
“We are determined to deliver a good performance and to make sure we qualify for the play-offs. I would want nothing more than to contribute towards that,” Botha said.
“At the Bulls, personal milestones are put on the backburner and the team comes first, so my focus will be on what I can deliver towards the team effort.”
Coach Ludeke congratulated Botha with his milestone.
“Bakkies has been a true stalwart over many seasons and we are happy to share this achievement with him. He will be the first to tell you how important a victory is on the weekend and what an onslaught we can expect from the Sharks. The focus will hence be on execution of our game plan and to try and do what we know we do best,” Ludeke said.
VODACOM BULLS:
15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Jaco Pretorius, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Bjorn Basson, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Francois Hougaard, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Dewald Potgieter, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Victor Matfield (Capt), 4. Bakkies Botha, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1. Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16. Gary Botha, 17. Rossouw de Klerk, 18. Flip van der Merwe, 19. Danie Rossouw, 20. Fourie du Preez, 21. Francois Brummer, 22. Akona Ndungane (67).
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