Friday night will be a special night at the Shark Tank and we urge all fans to get down to Growthpoint Kings Park, if they can, to see a true legend take the hallowed turf in black and white – possibly for the last time.
Louis Jacques Botes, whose first name is never used by anyone other than (perhaps) his mom, will run out ahead of the team in what may well prove to be his final home game as a Sharks player. With the team looking somewhat unlikely to play at home again in the Currie Cup this year, Botes, who retires at the end of the campaign, is to be given a special send-off this week.
Coinciding with this final Kings Park appearance is Jacques’s staggering 270th first class appearance. He’s earned 116 caps for the Sharks in Super Rugby (which includes a Sharks record for the longest unbroken period of selection, with 75 caps in a row between 2005 and 2011) and a further 153 at Currie Cup level, of which 28 were for the Pumas and the balance for the Sharks.
The Sharks have asked for as much support as possible for Jacques – and for those of us on Twitter to give the special #JB270 tag as much airtime as possible this week.
Tweet
I will be there!
A true professional. Hope he is fit to play.
What a legend!!! Wish I could be there.
LEGEND
(which includes a Sharks record for the longest unbroken period of selection, with 75 caps in a row between 2005 and 2011)
That is an unbelievable stat.
Wonder who holds the record for all SA franchises?
Such a LEGEND! I wish I could go to the game! Will be sure to record it though.
I’m gonna miss him in the future. Glad he’s staying at the Sharks
Definitely be there to support this great servant of Sharks rugby.
Also should be a cracker of a game, with the Lions team playing the most enterprising rugby out of any of the SA teams at the mo.
My cousin is getting married. This is one wedding I won’t miss for a Sharks game, but I’ve been to almost all the other of Jacques 270 games that was played at KP.
What a player!
Pity I’m so far away!!!! but I will be there in spirit!!!!
“I can confirm that at the conclusion of the Absa Currie Cup tournament, Jacques Botes will take on an administrative role at the Sharks, where he will continue to provide mentorship for the younger players in our squad,” added John Smit
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/CurrieCup/Sharks-to-honour-Botes-20141001
That fact that Pierre Spies has 50+ Bok caps, and Jacques Botes not, is a complete travesty. Legend player, and I for one am supers-toked that the Sharks will be retaining his services.