It has been reported that Bakkies Botha has signed a massive deal with French club Toulon, after reportedly signing a deal on Friday night that is worth R21 million over three years.
Bakkies will have to pack a few extra bags to go to the World Cup, after which he will board a plane straight to Europe to join his new teammates.
It is understood that Botha considered a move to the Lions, but the offer from the French club was the only serious offer on the table. An announcement will be made by the French club within a few days.
Botha has played 72 tests since making his debut in Marseilles in 2002 and has played 87 Super Rugby games. His illustrious career includes a World Cup, two Vodacom Tri-Nations titles, a series win over the British and Irish Lions and three Super Rugby winners’ medals.

I would prefer him to go there. Not to the Lions. That sort of money needs to be spent on keeping guys like Daid Bulbring in Jozi.
Oh oh oh! Robert Gumede where is that cheque book you were bragging about?
Bakkies Botha,
Eifion Lewis-Roberts,
Matt Gitteau,
Gavin Henson
Jason Robinson
Who have they NOT bought?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) : Geez I thought Jason Robinson was put in a retirement home already?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) :
Add Wilkinson to that list..
Maybe Gumede has to wait a bit longer for the R2 billion pay-out from Government before he van spend that sort of cash.
Victor Matfield on twitter:
Koerante praat oor kontrakte wat Bakkies moet teken wat Bakkies nie eers van weet nie
That’s an old tweet. Like a week ago.
lets wait for it to become official, buts that big tom for the old boy. Good for him…
Now if only bakkies was bright enough to use a PC then he’d have a twitter account and he could tell us all himself. 🙂
From SportBilly

Bakkies Botha dismisses story about Toulon by saying “Where is dat place, I haf not signed wiff dem?” 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 10) : I are not a tweeter… Lol
This was rumoured on twitter, then denied, then confirmed. It’s becoming a bit of a soap opera, as usual with there kind of rumours. We will have to wait and see what happens this.
@Speed7 (Comment 8) : From 10 Feb to be exact, but if it says that Bakkies knows nothing about the contract then I wouldn’t expect him to have found out about it and signed it by friday,
Evening
that is alot of buks gee but if he does go rather there than the Snoils
and its just what war1 says we will just have to wait and see what the cats brings in
@war1 (Comment 13) :
Like the last time he signed with toulon and denied it until they had to finally go to court.
Not the sharpest tool in the shed that one.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 16) : Well, the latest is that he has apparently told Ludeke he is leaving. It could be he is still in negotiations and nothing is signed yet. To be honest I don’t see Bakkies staying at the Bulls if Matfield retires.
Ag man, i don’t get up in the morning for that little bit of money…… lol ok again…. lol I think any player should take a opportunity like that just before hanging the boots up. He served SA well and if he can retire with spending some time overseas, getting paid very well…. why not?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 7) : That was a tweet over the Snoils speculation… And R21-m is only just over 2-m Euro. Which isn’t much, in the greater scheme of things from a European point of view, especially over 3 years. In fact, it’s small change, taking into account the cost of living in France. But worth it to hear Bakkies trying to master a working understanding of French. La plume de ma tante est dans le jardin de mon oncle… Met non, mesdames et monsieurs, je suis tres fatique au ce moment, et maintenant je vais à mon lit où dormir, espérant rêve. Bonne nuit jusqu’à demain!
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 19) :
€700 000 a year is small change in the big scheme of things yes, but apparently only just smaller than the contracts offered to Carter and Steyn..
This will be good for Bakkies… IMO don’t think he has that much rugby left in him anyway… Considering all the talent coming through.
@SharksRTB (Comment 21) : Yep, the twilight years in France VS ultra competitive SA rugby, no brainer…
@Ben (Comment 2) :
Still around .. That kinda money in rand could go a long way to securing a World class lock eventually.
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 19) :
That kind of small change can get you a pretty cool beachside Villa in the South of France.
Im relieved he is not coming to the Lions ..would have been a waste of money.
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 22) : that would be Bakkies alright, a no brainer 😆