Bakkies Botha - Best Lock In The World?

[NeilSpitzberg]

Is Bakkies Botha currently the best lock in the world?

I remember watching him in the world cup final 07, and he completely destroyed Simon Shaw and Ben Kay.

 

[shazbooger]

Nope, he's part of the best lock combination in the world but Victor Matfield is the best.......... by a long way.

 

[NeilSpitzberg]

Nope, he's part of the best lock combination in the world but Victor Matfield is the best.......... by a long way.
[/b]

Yeah, but Matfield is not as strong as Bakkies, nor does he have the same physical presence on the pitch. Did you see how Simon Shaw - who is at least 6'8, get completely overpowered by B.Botha in the world cup.

 

[Incredible Schalk]

You will probably get grilled for this thread but you wouldnt be far wrong. Matfield is the more recognised but in the loose Botha is the better ball carrier and always does an excellent job in the lineout. He was one of the few shining lights of the disastrous 2003 Bok team and has developed alongside big Vic to create by far the best lineout combination in the world.

 

[nam97]

Matfield's the orchestrator. Bakkies is just his big lumbering brainless grunt who likes a cheap shot or two.

Matfield is the best lock in the world. Shame he's leaving the Boks, will miss watching him play.

 

[Steve-o]

I remember Botha cleaning Kay off the ruck with his head during the WC. Straight in the ribs! Classic

Matfield and Botha are the best lock combination in the world for a reason. They both bring their contribution EQUALLY. The one doesn't disadvantage the other.

He has won everything a South African based player can win

 

[187]

yeah much respect to these two. but bakkies doesn't deserve his own thread! i reckon ali williams is better than him.

 

[Dozzy_X]

mmm i rate matfield over bakkies and chris jack over ali williams. who r we kidding, they're all pretty good.

 

[danny]

matfield is a class above Botha in all aspects of his play. Dont get me wrong Botha is an excellent lock its just that Matfields performance in the WC has put him in the "greats" bracket. Also dont get me started on cissy Williams.

 

[shazbooger]

They both bring their contribution EQUALLY. [/b]

Yeah as you'd expect from any pairing. Its just Matfield brings his contribution a little ......... eh ............. MORE equally.

Ahhhh from an outsiders point of view. If Ireland were playing South Africa, and Botha wasnt playing I wouldnt see it making too much of a difference, if Matfield was out it would be a big loss.

 

[Steve-o]

<div class='quotemain'> They both bring their contribution EQUALLY. [/b]

Yeah as you'd expect from any pairing. Its just Matfield brings his contribution a little ......... eh ............. MORE equally.

Ahhhh from an outsiders point of view. If Ireland were playing South Africa, and Botha wasnt playing I wouldnt see it making too much of a difference, if Matfield was out it would be a big loss.
[/b][/quote]
That's actually pretty true. His ability in set pieces, namely line outs, nudges him ahead. Matfield is more of a specialist

I got a lil excited there lol. Botha's achievements still make him stand head and shoulders above most of his competitors though

 

[candybum]

I see Matfield more of a leadership type player than Bakkies, and Bakkies more of a action type player. However they are pretty equal in both skill and ability as a lock forward. I guess the likes of Chris Jack and Ali Williams lack the physical presence that both Bakkies and Victor commands, but compensates this to being more skillful/athletic(?) (Ali Williams).

 

[KZNSharksFan]

matfield is a class above Botha in all aspects of his play. Dont get me wrong Botha is an excellent lock its just that Matfields performance in the WC has put him in the "greats" bracket. Also dont get me started on cissy Williams.
[/b]

You have to remember that Botha is there to do specific, very specialized jobs, as is Matfield. Botha is there primarily for his mongrel instinct which intimidates the opposition as well as his ability to play as a fourth (slightly slower) loose forward- clearing out rucks etc. Matfield obviously is the Lineout kingpin. Interestingly, all great lock pairings have been made up of t players who work in tandem perfectly. ie Colin Meads with Sam Strahan, Frik Du Preez with Pieter Naude

 

[melon]

Dan Vickerman is better than Bakkies Botha.

Matfield is in his own league, slighty above the rest.

 

[jawmalawm24]

Bakkies Botha is awesome if you want brute strength outa your lock and good runups but all round I'd easily give it to Victor Matfeld no one is on his level and its pretty much automatic when he jumps at the lineouts.

 

[Nat]

This thread is a joke...Bakkies Botha is nowhere near the level of international rugby...to think that he is a good player is to admit to a cocaine problem...thats just far out hahaha. Victor Matfield is good..but yeah I would say that Chris Jack (NZ)...oh it pains me to say it being an Aussie is the best lock in the world. Dan Vickerman a close 2nd.

 

[KZNSharksFan]

This thread is a joke...Bakkies Botha is nowhere near the level of international rugby...to think that he is a good player is to admit to a cocaine problem...thats just far out hahaha. Victor Matfield is good..but yeah I would say that Chris Jack (NZ)...oh it pains me to say it being an Aussie is the best lock in the world. Dan Vickerman a close 2nd.
[/b]

You're an idiot. And i had better not get a warning for saying that because it is totally justified

 

[SaintsFan_Webby]

<div class='quotemain'>
This thread is a joke...Bakkies Botha is nowhere near the level of international rugby...to think that he is a good player is to admit to a cocaine problem...thats just far out hahaha. Victor Matfield is good..but yeah I would say that Chris Jack (NZ)...oh it pains me to say it being an Aussie is the best lock in the world. Dan Vickerman a close 2nd.
[/b]

You're an idiot. And i had better not get a warning for saying that because it is totally justified [/b][/quote]

And yet you haven't actually justified or explained it in the slightest.

 

[melon]

<div class='quotemain'> <div class='quotemain'>
This thread is a joke...Bakkies Botha is nowhere near the level of international rugby...to think that he is a good player is to admit to a cocaine problem...thats just far out hahaha. Victor Matfield is good..but yeah I would say that Chris Jack (NZ)...oh it pains me to say it being an Aussie is the best lock in the world. Dan Vickerman a close 2nd.
[/b]

You're an idiot. And i had better not get a warning for saying that because it is totally justified [/b][/quote]

And yet you haven't actually justified or explained it in the slightest.
[/b][/quote]
A +warning then lol?

 

[melon]

In terms of explosive running of the ball, I'd put Bakkies over Matfield, but thats all really.