Botha
Bakkies Botha is arguably the greatest lock to ever play rugby. Discover more about this giant of the sport with RugbyPass, your resident rugby gurus.
Bakkies Botha Bio
Bakkies Botha is a giant of South African rugby who has won almost every trophy the professional game has to offer. A gigantic and powerful lock, he’s regularly named in ‘greatest ever’ sides. Bakkies Botha was inducted into the RugbyPass Hall of Fame in 2021.
Born John Phillip Botha on 22 September 1979, Bakkies Botha enjoyed a distinguished career in the game. During his playing days, he represented many of the world’s top sides, including the Blue Bulls (2001-2011), the Bulls (2002-2011) and Toulon (2011-2015).
During his time with the Blue Bulls, Bakkies Botha won the Vodacom Cup once (2001) and the Currie Cup an impressive four times (including a draw in 2006). Meanwhile, with the Bulls, he won three Super Rugby titles (2007, 2009, 2010). When he then won the Top 14 once (2014) and the Heineken Champions Cup three times (2013, 2014 and 2015) with Toulon, he became one of the most decorated players in world rugby. At the time, he also became the first player to ever win a hat-trick of Super Rugby and European rugby titles.
Due to his glittering domestic career, it comes as no surprise that Bakkies Botha was also a giant for the South African national team. Between 2002 and 2014, he was capped 85 times by his country. The highlight of his time as a Springbok undoubtedly came in 2007, when he helped his side lift the Rugby World Cup. However, he also won the Tri Nations (now The Rugby Championship) twice and was part of the South African side that defeated the British and Irish Lions in 2009.
Since retiring in 2015, Bakkies Botha has launched a butchery business called Bakkies the Butcher.
