Bath Rugby fly-half Butch James is expected to be out of the game for nine months after a scan on his injured knee yesterday confirmed the South African’s worst fears.
The Bath Chronicle reports that James limped off at half-time during Bath’s 15-14 win Guinness Premiership victory over Newcastle Falcons on Sunday, sparking fears that the World Cup-winning Springbok had yet again been hit by the knee trouble that has plagued his career.
A damaged anterior cruciate ligament will require surgery – although James has vowed to return to rugby.
Bath today released a statement, which read: “Butch will be raring to get back onto the pitch for his team when he is fighting fit and will be eager to put his shirt back on when that time comes.”
And head coach Steve Meehan paid tribute to the No 10, who returned from the Tri-Nations last summer to play a major role in Bath’s challenge for honours this term.
“Butch started 20 Guinness Premiership matches for us this year and seven Heineken Cup matches. He has played more minutes than anyone else for Bath and has done a bloody good job,” said Meehan.
James played for the Natal Sharks in his native South Africa before signing for Bath in 2007 but his career with the Durban-based Super 14 side and the Springboks was hampered by injury.
In 2002 his appearances were restricted following knee surgery but in 2004 he played in every game for the Sharks and looked certain to be recalled to the national squad until an injury to the cruciate ligament of his left knee, 12 minutes into the last game against the Stormers, ended his season and kept him out of rugby for six months.
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This really sucks.
I don’t think PdV would have heeded the call for James’ inclusion anyway, but this sucks nonetheless.
Shame poor Butch. I rate this guy big time unlike some Vagina oke who predicted that James would cost us the RWC.
schweet, at least he is consistent. the sharks had to carry him while he was injured, only fair bath do to.
So now we HAVE to move on and decide who the best for the Boks will be.
Pienaar IMO, but I have no clue who I would choose as backup 10.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 4) : i hate to be the guy to say it, but morne steyn. he may not be a playmaker, but his boot is clinical.
@try time (Comment 5) :
It will not suit the style that PDV wants one single bit, so I’m afraid I will be VERY surprised if he is included.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 6) : but a series win against the lions should be more important than a fragile ego. but i know what you mean.
Earl Rose anyone?? Peter Grant? 🙄
@wpw (Comment 8) : @wpw (Comment 8) : earl rose is unable to make the step up. grant still hasn’t shown he can. he has been average this year so far.
@try time (Comment 7) :
No I don’t think you do. 🙂
I support PdV and the style he wants to play, not from the 1st minute of the game, but certainly overall.
@wpw (Comment 8) :
Andre Pretorius?
Andre Pretorius will never play for the Boks again. Naas Olivier?
@wpw (Comment 11) :
Naas Olivier? After one good game?
Dude he isn’t in CT anymore, the criteria is more stringent when you don’t have the CT media behind you. 😉
Hahaha
I was taking the piss dude. He did have a good game for the Cheetahs didnt he??
He is better than De Waal imo.
@wpw (Comment 13) :
I think he is. If we judge him solely on today’s performance.
Let’s see how he does in the coming weeks.
end of the road for Butch, I’m afraid 🙁
hello,
firstly – pity about butchie – agree with rob that it may just be the end of his rugby. but who knows.
i really wanted to see him as ruan’s back up for lions – would be a nice finish for him.
secondly – i do not think PdV will any headache though, nor the author of the article since he mentiones nothing. I really prefer articles that have title that ties up with the content.
@rekinek (Comment 16) :
See him as Ruan’s back up? 😯 not something I would have thought of, but it would make sense actually to help ruan just that little bit more.
Full Name Andrew David
Nick Name Butch
Surname James
Birth Date 8 January 1979
So he turned 30 at the start of this year.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 17) : yaaa
i got the idea that ruan is PdV’s “the One” 🙂
butch would make a good mentor – sth like tony brown’s role last year for grant within stormers -(though it worked well)
@KSA Shark © (Comment 18) : butchie bit old – hey time for mentoring – hehehe
BTW – who won on friday ?
@rekinek (Comment 19) :
Bahrain 74 – 3 Kuwait
🙁 1st half was good 24 – 0 Not to onesided, then the second half fell apart. 🙁
Am back there on 8may for Bahrain v Dubai Dragons.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 20) : 😥
i guess at least nobody can blame the ref 😛
@rekinek (Comment 21) :
I HOPE not.
Next week (08 May) will be the league decider. If bahrain win they should win the league. Nothing like a bit of pressure to make me crumble. 😳 😉