BJ Botha does not know why he has been left out of the South African Tri-Nations rugby team to tour Australasia.
“No, I’m not injured. I was simply not selected. I don’t know what the reason is,” the experienced tighthead prop forward said on Tuesday.
“I felt I did well when I was given the opportunity but I don’t read too much into it (his omission),” the 28-year-old Botha said.
Stephen Nell writes in Die Burger that Botha’s omission from the 28-man squad was the major surprise when the names were announced on Tuesday.
Botha, who has played in 17 Test matches, was South Africa’s No 1 tighthead prop at the World Cup tournament in France last year before he was injured.
He was also part of a solid Springbok performance in the scrums in the second Test against Wales recently.
However, CJ van der Linde and Brian Mujati have been selected as tighthead props for the tour of New Zealand and Australia, with Gurthrö Steenkamp and Tendai Mtawarira on the other side of the front row.
Botha will join Ulster in Ireland in January. However, after a good Super 14 season, he was expected to lend experience to the SA scrum in the Tri-Nations series.
Mujati did not impress in the first Test against Wales but experts such as Gert Smal and Robbie Kempson said the rookie prop should not be dropped after one international.
Comfortable on either side
The scrumming is the one aspect of the Springboks’ game that has caused concern. With Botha out of the team, South Africa will probably have Steenkamp, John Smit and Van der Linde in the front row when they play New Zealand in Wellington on July 5.
Van der Linde played in his 50th Test when South Africa beat Italy last week and is comfortable on either side of the front row.
Other notable omissions are those of wing Tonderai Chavhanga, hooker Schalk Brits, utility forward Danie Rossouw and outside centre Gcobani Bobo.
Brits played well when he came on as substitute against Italy, but there was always going to be room for only two hookers in the touring team.
Bobo had a good Super 14 season but he may lack the pace to compete at international level.
Adrian Jacobs and Frans Steyn are likely to compete for the No 13 jersey. Steyn did not impress at flyhalf against Italy but his versatility makes him an ideal tour player.
JP Pietersen, who was on the right wing in the World Cup final last year, is back in the squad.
Ryan Kankowski had no problem passing a medical test after being knocked out in a collision with Italian lock forward Carlo del Fava last weekend.
Kankowski is one of six Springboks who will make their first Tri-Nations tour. The others are wing Odwa Ndungane, lock Andries Bekker, Mtawarira, Mujati and loose forward Luke Watson.
The Springboks play New Zealand on July 5 in Wellington and also in Dunedin on July 12 and face Australia in Perth on July 19.
The SA squad:
Backs:
Bolla Conradie, Jean de Villiers, Peter Grant, Butch James, Conrad Jantjes, Adrian Jacobs, Ricky Januarie, Bryan Habana, Percy Montgomery, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Ruan Pienaar and Francois Steyn.
Forwards:
Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Bismarck du Plessis, Ryan Kankowski, Tendai Mtawarira, Brian Mujati, Victor Matfield, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, John Smit (capt), Gurthrö Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Joe van Niekerk and Luke Watson.
Tweet
BJs omission was a bit of a shocker hey…but I guess the selectors had their reasons.
Now Fransie Steyn’s a 13… 😆
@blackshark (Comment 1) : CJ and Mujati are no where near as good as BJ! Beast proved himself and proved a lot of dooms dayers wrong, however, Mujati’s and CJ’s side kept on going backwards, and that is with Italy and Wales, the Kiwis are going to shove the scrum backwards all tournement, and out goes PDV’s game plan of running the ball!
BJ’s in the dark 😯
Brits and Bobs were never going to make the touring squad and now they are “notable” omissions. – journalists 😈
@PJLD (Comment 4) : where do I sign up? 😉
@Salmonoid (Comment 5) : Lokl ja,noticed that too
Also a bit schock about BJ and expected Mujatsi to get the drop. But we are playing the ELVs so just maybe that will play a role. You need your fatty to do it more then just scrumming. Hard luck to BJ.
Think CJ will start anyway against the All Blacks and I will put two fatties on the bench for them.
@PJLD (Comment 4) :
Load-shedding is rife 😀
@Sharksmad (Comment 3) :
I disagree…CJ was solid (at best though) in the scrums…I was surprised as I never thought much of his scrummaging….we just never competed on their ball….
When Brain and Tendai were the props the Italians pushed us back seriously…especially the one 10 or so meters out…the scrum backtracked there at speed…
When CJ came on as replacement at loosehead the whole scrum did better actually…could be that he had fresh legs…but the fact is it did better…it did not do better with Mujati’s fresh legs…he looked tired from the first scrum….
@PaarlBok (Comment 8) : the argument makes no sense. BJ does far more in open play than Mujati anyway. Apart from his scrumming, which is technically flawless, he gets through a huge amount of tackling for a prop and hits more rucks than virtually anybody else.
@robdylan (Comment 11) : Im with the Sarkies on this one PB,ok we will have our locks fawling from the sky in the lineout but thats ok
@Salmonoid (Comment 5) :
Maybe Brits as hooker is a very specialist pos and it is qauite a long tour (4 weeks)…
But no way Bobo…he was nowhere did nothing and was sooooo slow…he got stepped a few times by a MUCH bigger centre (think about 15 kg on Bobo)…
@Hmmm (Comment 10) : I disagree Rizzo was causing CJ major grief, and it was his side that kept on getting penalised and coming up not Beast! CJ only did well against the Iteys when he came back after he had a rest, and on the loosehead. Beast was solid the whole game!
@Hmmm (Comment 13) :
Although I suspected Chav’s might be left behind…but to be replaced by JPP….that was a surprise…JPP was useless in the S14…actually less than that…Chav’s def a better pcik than JPP…
@Hmmm (Comment 15) : I think that was a defensive decision, Chavanga was not brilliant in defence, and against the ABs you need solid defence. JP is a better option in defence and under the high ball, but yeah other than that he has not offered much this season.
@Sharksmad (Comment 14) :
CJ got penalised once only….and a free kick against Beast…go check…
And our scrum was solid on our own ball….both sides most of the time…was on their ball we struggled…
And when Tendai and Brain were the prop pair we went backwards at every scrum (their or our ball)…our whole scrum…we were just nowhere…and when CJ cam on after we were pushed backwards 3 times in a row our whole scrum stabilised….I disagree that Beast was the best scrummaging prop on the day…def had a ball in general play….
@Sharksmad (Comment 16) :
Under the high ball….are we talking of the same JPP? How many are there?
And he is not solid in def…one super great cross tackle does not make you solid in def…he often grabs at attacking players…
I am sorry…Chav’s was nowhere in teh test….but def much much much better than JPP….
@robdylan (Comment 11) :
You maybe right there but really I also was surprise with BJ’s dropping. Anyway I am passed the picks now, time to put up a match 22 for the All Blacks in Smellington. Thats the mount everest and if we can get victory there we’ll on our way.
Hmm as a Stormer and Chavanga fan, think it was a wise move to pick JP. His defense is better then the rest and think only need the haka to get back. We need some experiense against the Mount Everest challenge and JP is the man.
@robdylan (Comment 11) :
I agree….this is the biggest upset in Bokke team selection history….even worse than the Gaffie pick a few years ago…actually….worse than the combo of the Gaffie DuToit/Andre Snyman pick in the same game….as the 2 wings!??!
Oh no….what has become of our beloved Bok jersey…hope one cheep selection won’t devalue the whole set-up
@PaarlBok (Comment 19) :
I am not a Stormer/Shark/JPP/Chav’s fan….and I disagree…when JPP was on “form” he was ordinary and just benefited from a great Bok outfit…
He did very well in support running in a game or two last year…and put in an awesome tackle…nothing better than Danie Rossouw’s against England’s though…actually Danie’s was a WC winning tackle…and a 8th man against a wing…which makes his all the more better….you don’t hear every one saying Danie is the best defending forward in the game now do you….
@PaarlBok (Comment 19) : I think it picks itself. Beast, john, cj, bakkies, vic, burger, smith, kanko, ricky, butch, habs, jean, adi, jp, percy
Ill go for experiense:
Guthro , Beast from the bench
Spies , Kankowski from the bench (not because I dont like Kankowski, only to give the man a bit of breather after that knock.
Spies & Guthro have been there before and it will be a big ask for Kankowski & Beast to start first up.
the rest as you picked.
Bench: Steyn, Ruaan, (they cover the whole backline and give a place to put a whole frontrow as backup)
Beast, Bismarck, Mujatsi, Bekker, Kankowski
@Hmmm (Comment 21) : I just don’t like him cos he’s a bull
@robdylan (Comment 22) :
Odwa ahead of JPP
@Hmmm (Comment 21) : But without JPP’s tackle, Rowssow may not have been able to make his WC winning tackle! I am going to go back this evening to watch the Italian match again as I definitely thought Beast was better on the day, but will not argue until I have viewed it again as I could have been watching with my Sharks glasses on.
@robdylan (Comment 11) : I don’t agree. BJ’s open play is not great..have you seen how many times BJ gets bumped of on a tackle. Agree he scrums well but thats about it
I really feel for BJ but was he that great against Wales???
I think he should have been chosen ahead of Mujati but maybe Brian is one of ‘those’ coach selections.
Jake also had his favourites… Jacques Cronje anyone?
Can we please put an end to the clear bias on this site???
Hosh…salute…[email protected]wpw (Comment 29) : Hosh…salute…mase kind
@wpw (Comment 29) : What would be the point of that?
@wpw (Comment 29) : I am a big Sharks supporter, but reality is reality. When it comes to the Boks we need he best possible team and for me it doesn’t include Steyn, Ruan , JPP or possibly BJ
Pokkel
I also don’t think BJ is the BEST 3 in SA but he is a better scrummager than Mujati. (and i support the Stormers)
Pienaar should have been replaced by Rory Rocket!
The problem though, do we really want a green horn on the bench against AUS or NZ???
@Pokkel (Comment 32) : So the best Bok team doesn’t include Steyn, Ruan, JPP or possibly BJ 🙄 ❓
@wpw (Comment 33) : I’m sorry, but you’re way out there. Who’s a better tighthead than BJ?
@Charlie (Comment 34) : Not the first choice team. When I have time I’ll give you my first 15: Steyn due to his “versatility” would probably make the reserves
1. Beast
2. Smit
3. CJ van Linde (should be BJ)
4. Botha
5. Matfield
6. Burger
7. Smith
8. Van Niekerk
9. Januarie
10. James
11. Habana
12. Steyn
13. De Villiers
14. Janjies
15. Montgomery
16. Du Plessis
17. Steenkamp
18. Bekker
19. Kanko
20. Pienaar
21. Jacobs
22. Pietersen
@Sharksmad (Comment 26) :
Nah….we beat them by 17…he only saved 5….
@Dive Pass (Comment 37) :
My selection for the match
@Dive Pass (Comment 37) :
Good starting 15 with exception of Jantjies…will place Odwa at 14 and Jantjies on the bench and JPP to man the pack of oranges….
@robdylan (Comment 35) :
I have to agree….don’t know who a better 3 is…I know who the best scrummiging 1 is….but not nes the best as he is a bit silent in general play….
Do i still need to answer that one Rob???
TGHMEA of course.
@Dive Pass (Comment 37) : Can find much fault in that side, agree whole heartedly with comment at #3. We can only hope that sanity will prevail and that this will be the run on team.
15 Monty
14 Chav or Ndungane
13 Murray or Jaco Pretorius?( Lions oudside centre played Bok before)
12 JdV
11 Habana
10 Butch
9 Januarie ( he always rattles Carter )
8 Kanko
7 Juan
6 Schalk
6 Matfield
5 Botha
3 CJ or Jannie du Plessis
2 Smith
1 Beast
16 Bismark
17 CJ or Jannie
18 Bekker
19 Spies
20 Vermaak or Kockott
21 Adi
22 Steyn
Pokkel
Murray or Jaco Pretorius??? 😯
Smith at hooker??? Surely you mean Smit! 🙄
Hey Rob,
We need to set up a drinking games thread. I have my farewell with the team next Friday night and they want some SA drinking games to be played.
Problem is that I can’t remember a large number of the games I played in my youth. Coinage and fuzzy duck I was good at so remember the rules, but things like oobley doobley etc. get a bit hazey. 😆
@Pokkel (Comment 44) :
Murray or Pretorius?????????????????
Ollie
Please stick to the topic at hand!!! 👿
(just kidding)
@wpw (Comment 45) : Sorry Smit, but you knew that and being pedantic.
I repeat , you cannot beat the AB’s by playing expansive rugby. You need to defend and be in their faces and Adi is not the man for the job. Neither is Steyn cause he will make a silly mistake and you can’t afford those againt the AB’s . Granted we are short on 13’s and would love to have Fourie there.
I am wpw, just consider it as part of the planning of getting more Bok supporters. 😆
Great Minds, Dive Pass!!! 😎
@Dive Pass (Comment 47) : Why is that so strange, With the limited chances he had,I’ve never seen Pretorius have a bad game.
Steyn hasn’t distributed ANY ball this season. I just cannot justify playing him at the moment on current form. He has the talent , yes, but he is young and you cannot experiment againt thye AB’s
I am just not comfortable with Adi defending against Nonu
@Pokkel (Comment 52) :
Murray is so off the boil this season and Pretorius is being criticised by Lions supporters for his play this season
@Pokkel (Comment 52) : never seen him have a good game in Green
@Pokkel (Comment 53) :
Playing Steyn in the position he played for most of the WC is hardly experimenting
Didn’t he only play one test??
And it was on the wing…
Pretorius had ONE good CC season and got selected for the Boks. He was hopelessly off form during this season (and injured)
I agree with Dive Pass.
Steyn is good enough, he just isn’t good enough to start at 10 or 12 for the Boks at the moment cos Butch and JDV are the best in their positions…
@Dive Pass (Comment 57) : That would mean playing or best backline player out of position..Jean de Villiers and Moving Steyn once again. Look I admit that 13 is a problem and I will feel better with Steyn in the midfield than Adi against the likes of Nonu
@Pokkel (Comment 60) : I see no comment on the rest of my team so I assume 13 is the only problem then 🙄 and it is a BIG problem
Lets give Adi a chance. 😳
@wpw (Comment 62) : Well if you ask so nicely. I send a mail to my old friend Nonu to be nice to Adi
You had all better be nice to Adi or you will have to deal with me!!! 😈 😈 👿 👿
@Ollie (Comment 46) : PigOut
I think Adi is overrated!!!
Come on Nessa… ‘deal with me’
Nice chatting to you all..I really need to do some work now 🙂
@PJLD (Comment 65) : Is that an instruction or a game? 😆
@Pokkel (Comment 61) :
No 13 was just the most glaring problem 😉
@wpw (Comment 66) :
With pleasure!!! 😈
Rob – I need a physical address please. 😉
Remember that Adi are not Nonu’s direct opponent…He look quite ordinary against JDV in S14…Surely JDV & Adi would be up for the challenge…The All Blacks midfield might be destructive on attack but their defence aint the World’s best…So I might say that we are quite evenly match in the centres… 😀 IMO no worries, think the scrum might be the only real concern… 😉
The clue in why BJ wasn’t selected is surely due to the fact that he leaves SA in January?
Why would de Villiers pick him after the drama caused getting Smit, Monty, Butch and Matfield back?
It has nothing to do with how good it is – it has everything to do with his future intentions. Let’s be honest here – he’s not that good.
If he intended staying in SA he would’ve been picked. As it stands now he’s made his choice and de Villiers is obviously building a team.
His ommission is justified in my humble opinion.
Only the very best bok players will be accomodated if they play overseas. BJ isn’t even close to being one of them.
“Just imagine the Springboks without BJ Botha, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Jean de Villiers, Schalk Burger and Percy Montgomery,” Erasmus said on Monday.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 72) : Good points 😉
@VinChainSaw (Comment 72) : I think you’re spot on as usual
Greetings from Dubai
@Nessa (Comment 70) : he tends to hang around outside Eddie Andrews’ house holding a sign saying “Please come back! WP needs you!”
@KSA Shark © (Comment 76) : greetings from Sophia Antipolis
@robdylan (Comment 78) :
I am sitting in the departure lounge waiting to board. 😎 Next stop Jhb 😎 😎
Friday night Kingspark ❗ ❗ ❗ ❗
@robdylan (Comment 78) : greetings from Die Moederstad…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 79) : 😈
okay Cheers All.
Enjoy work 😉 (those of you that actually do any 😆 )
@robdylan (Comment 77) :
Thanks Rob – I will find him. 😈
@KSA Shark © (Comment 82) :
Cheers KSA!
Don’t forget when you are in Jhb to let us know – Big Fish is also going to be in Jhb in July and maybe we can all get together.
@Pokkel (Comment 44) :
Murray or JPretorius!???! The last two I’ll pick at I’ll pick at centre…
I’d rather go with Joubert as WpW suggested yesterday or even JW Jonker from the Cheetahs (scored the most tries of any centre in SA in S14 2008)…
@wpw (Comment 58) :
I agree…he has not looked good since CC 2006!???!
I get sooooo frustrated if he is selected for the LIONS…I’d rather go with Boshoff at 13…
@robdylan (Comment 24) :
LoL
@VinChainSaw (Comment 72) :
So does that mean that CJ is staying and is being financially accommodated by SARU.
Nessa
As long as you promise to ‘spank’ me… 🙄
@wpw (Comment 89) :
êtsê djulle 😯
@wpw (Comment 89) :
Ness i am going to tell Neville
Just havin some fun Debs… 😳
Somerville signed for Gloucester. Leaving NZ in December.
@wpw (Comment 92) : lol ja but have to stir a bit with nessie hey
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 93) :
It’s sad …. I see the NZ rugby union giving in pretty soon on overseas player selection…..the ” 6 month sabiticals” are just the beginning….from there its just a matter of time before its bye bye Super 14 being the most prestigious tournament below test rugby.
@Dive Pass (Comment 95) : Reckon they’ll have to. And if S14 go tits up NZ & Aus are in trouble. In theory SA could join the European leaugues, as we are virtually in the same time zone and ‘only’ a 10 or so hour flight away.
@wpw (Comment 89) : This is a family site.. 😳
@wpw (Comment 92) :
I have my spies checking out for me. 😉
Pokkel (Comment49) I agree we need to keep it tight and in your face against the AB’s. In the 80’s playing rugby in N/Natal we had a couple of Mine teams with lots of Black players( nothing racial Rob) and boy did those fellows love to run with the ball. They would run across the field at great speed and then somebody would shout Chincha (spelling- Change)and off they would go in the other direction with us White boys following, making ground wasn’t that important, but did they hate the tight stuff. Now I have watched succesful teams playing in Super14 and other internationals against NZ teams. The Islanders/Maoris love ball in hand running but are not keen on the tight grinding stuff. The Sharks have always been succesful against the Blues when they keep it tight, however the ELV’s might have changed this being able to collapse the rolling maul will loosen the game up somewhat. Keep it tight and tackle tackle tackle ” Vat hom Laag Boetie”.