According to our friends over at The Front Row Union, Sharks flanker Jacques Botes may be the latest in a long line of players set to swap Kings Park in Durban for Ravenhill in Belfast.
While this is probably not much more than a rumour at this stage, some of our sources in Durban have heard the same thing and with Botes very close to another Ulster man in Johann Muller, the chances are quite good that there might be some truth to the story. The Front Row Union are generally spot on when it comes to transfer rumours affecting Ulster and they found out about the moves of both Muller, Ruan Pienaar and Stefan Terblanche long before they were publicly announced.
Botes has just achieved a remarkable milestone of 100 caps for the Sharks in both Currie Cup and Super Rugby and at 31 years of age, one would think that a move to the Northern hemisphere to see out his playing days would make sense. Possibly one of the unluckiest players ever not to receive a Bok cap, it’s probably safe to say that the international ship has sailed for Botes and with Marcell Coetzee and Keegan Daniel both ahead of him in the pecking order at Bok level, it’s safe to assume that Super Rugby starting opportunities are likely to be thin on the ground in 2013.
Ulster have recently lost another South African back rower – Pedrie Wannenberg – to Castres, which would open up a spot for Botes in their squad. Again, we must reiterate that this is just a rumour at this stage and we’ll either confirm or quash it once more concrete information comes to light.
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A lot of Sharks have played for Ulster. BJ Botha was another Shark who played for them and looked into coming back to SA but none of the provinces were interested so he moved to Munster.
As much as we will miss Boots, I think this will be great for his career going forward. With the loosies we have, I cant see him being part of the squad for much longer, unfortunately. But then again that will open a permanent spot for Deysel again in the match day 22.
It would suck to see him go, but I’d rather he get gametime than sit on the bench.
This will be a sad day, almost as sad as when James Small left Natal, but Boots was loyal and gave great service to Sharks Rugby, true legend!!!
This is really bad for us.
Botes has been one of my favourite players for a while now, we`re really gonna struggle without him.
He`s still our ownly recognised fetcher in the team.
Yes I know everyone`s supposed to be a fetcher nowadays but he was more effective than most.
Also we have to remember that Coetzee is now in the bok setup, we won`t have his services for the CC. Which is the competition we should focus on now.
Will Kleinhans be ready to step up for us?
@Original Pierre (Comment 5) : The value of Botes is the support he brings on attacking play. If the guy with the ball is tackled, he seems to be the only one in our trio that has the smarts and correct body position to ensure our ball is retained. Otherwise he was always there to keep the ball alive
OOOOH No!!!! One of my real favorites! But I really wish him the very best if the rumour is true. He has been a real team man and faithful to the Black and White, its time he started looking after Botes too! Good luck Jacques!
Would be sad to seem him go but wish him all the best if that is the case!
Botes is one of my all time favourite sharks players. If somebody makes a linebreak, or makes a pop pass, you know that the guy with the red scrum cap will be there in support.
It will be sad to say goodbye but I definitely support the move. He is running out of time and buffering the pension with some Euros would be good.
@Original Pierre (Comment 5) : Look on the bright side: what if we discover another Marcel?!
Most underrated player in SA imho. He will be missed. What a legend.
Well if this is true….. Then well done to Jacques. Although we are exceptionally happy for him it will also be sad to see one of Kings Park legends leaving his home turf after an oustanding career at the Sharks. Jacques is an awesome person to be around and has added much value to the game in KZN.
@Ben (Comment 11) : I’m jumping the gun there. That’s if he leaves.
A well deserved “retirement”-move. He deserves the pound for his years of service to the game of rugby. A great player who never really cocked up in a game.
If it comes to fruition, al die beste my maat.
If it happens to be true, good luck to him! A great servant of the Black and White, a legend of the game!
@Ben (Comment 11) : Yip, sad that he never got a Springbok cap 🙁
the Sharks are falling into the same hole that the boks are already in – BELIEVING THAT SIZE IS ESSENTIAL IN RUGBY – it is only a bonus. Brain beats brawn every day people.
There is a reason why some1 like Daniel is the leading loosie in SA in terms of metres gained and linebreaks. Hard, but deceptive players are always better…therefore the best loose trio the Sharks can come up with is:
6. Daniel
7. Coetzee
8. Kankowski
And the best group of loosies for the Boks would be:
Brussow, Schalk, Kankowski, Daniel, Coetzee, etc…give or take. BUt not Alberts, Spies, Vermeulen who have 1 DIMENTION – STRAIGHT THROUGH THE BRICK WALL
and Kolisi, Dewald Potgieter
I think the measure of the man is that if polled, probably 80% of Sharksworld members would rank him in a list of their favourite Sharks’ players. Fantastic servant of Sharks rugby; fanatically commited, professional, and an all-round nice guy to boot, by all accounts. It’ll be sad to see Jacques go, but he certainly deserves an opportunity to pad the pension funds and extend hs career a bit away from the rigours of Super Rugby.
@Culling Song (Comment 19) : Couldn’t agree more. He’s such a nice guy!
Would be nice for Sharksworld to host Boots for a braai at a venue to be decided in Durban. And perhaps give him a little book with all the tributes from bloggers to take with him on his way. Little consolation for a man who never got to don the green and gold.
Also I have been on here for years and years but still have 1 Star below my name 🙁
Jacques, jy is ‘n Sharks legende en seker die ongelukkigste ou om nooit Springbok te word nie. Ek hoop jy maak hope geld in Ierland en jy kry nie te koud nie.
Jy sal gemis word maar nooit vergeet word nie.
Ill save my good words for when and if its confirmed…..