According to news filtering through from the Antipodes, Bakkies Botha has been placed on stand-by and will receive a call up to the Bok squad should Eben Etzebeth get a ban from the disciplinary hearing.
SuperSport.com reports that Heyneke Meyer confirmed that Bakkies will get the call should Etzebeth pick up a ban, which could see him miss out on a few games, if headbutt bans from the past are considered.
Botha, who himself was banned for a similar incident, plays in the French Top q4 for Toulon, and will make the trip and will most likely play off the bench, with Flip van der Merwe getting a start. Whether Andries Bekker will feature this weekend remains to be seen.

Is it just me who thinks this is a crap idea?
@PTAShark (Comment 1) :
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What does that say to the other young locks playing in SA?
Yeah, just ignore Anton Bresler (Who has been outstanding this whole Super Rugby season) and bring back the penalty machine.
@Bokhoring (Comment 3) : About as much as playing scrumhalfs on the wing.
Guys, please! You’re all forgetting who Bakkies played for before he left SA.
@PTAShark (Comment 1) : @Zibbie (Comment 2) : @Bokhoring (Comment 3) : @TRF_Ezequiel (Comment 4) : I would implore you rugby ‘experts’ (here I do actually mean you know about the game and I respect your ideas, but just go with the ‘sarcasm’ ;-)) to please not use common sense as a basis for your comments. Thank you!
What is wrong with using our young locks? What about what we have in sa, and why is flip even there i am surprised he didnt give away more penalties. I am still hopeful that HM has seen what good a full flyhalf has on the bokke.
He has been found guilty …
@Zibbie (Comment 8) : How long is the ban?
HAHA. More Bule Bulls mentality from our esteemed coach. BRING BACK SNORRE!!
He got 2 weeks I see.
@klempie (Comment 10) :
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I thought I’d never see the day! π―
@wpw (Comment 12) :
That is the 2nd time he’s said something similar! π
@wpw (Comment 12) : Desperate times dude! π
All we need now is John Smit and Joe van Niekerk to get a call up… And to be honest, the team would be better for it, except as regards, i don’t know, creating depth and blooding talented youngsters like Martin Muller and Anton Bresler…
Anyone keeping score on the weekly excuses puked up by Meyer?
We’ve had the “execution” excuse, the “lack of experience” aka “young team” aka “learn from our mistakes” excuse, and latest the “soft moments” excuse.
Which excuse do we look forward to next week, unforced penalties from individuals (read Bakkies & Flippie)?