S
Steve-o
Guest
http://www.keo.co.za/2008/04/22/ireland-beckons-for-bj/
Ulster are lucky, Botha is a world-class tighthead who's in his prime still.
Good luck BJ
Sharks tighthead prop BJ Botha will play for Irish side Ulster next season.
Keo.co.za has learned the deal, which will see the 28-year-old join the Magners League side, is set to be signed in the near future.
Botha, who debuted for the Sharks in 2001, is widely recognised as South Africa's best scrummaging tighthead and his loss will be a major blow for the Durban franchise.
Botha is another in an ever growing list of the Sharks' Springboks to be lured to Europe. They've lost John Smit (Clermont), Percy Montgomery (Perpignan) and Butch James (Bath) in the last year, while Johan Ackermann and Bob Skinstad retired after the 2007 World Cup.
Inexperience has been an issue at the Sharks after their departure and with Botha leaving, it further depletes the Sharks in this department.
Jannie du Plessis will start in Botha's absence and in Pat Cilliers, the Sharks have one of the most promising tightheads in the country as cover. The youngster was having an outstanding 2007 Currie Cup until he tore knee ligaments. His rehabilitation went well and he has played regular Vodacom Cup rugby this season. Cilliers' pace and better than average handling skills will make him an asset under the ELVs.
From a Springbok perspective Botha will be able to continue if selected. He debuted in 2006 against Australia and was Jake White's first choice tighthead since.
Ulster have had a poor season and languish in second last position after losing three of their last five matches. With fixtures against Munster, Glasgow and Cardiff in the next three weeks their situation is set to become even more precarious.
Meanwhile, the Sharks mixed up their training routine yesterday, hoping to break the monotony that is experienced in week four of a five week tour. Conditioning coach Mark Steele set up games of soccer, touch rugby and cricket, which he said was designed to give the players a similar aerobic workout to what they would achieve through their regular training regiment.
The Sharks face the Waratahs in Sydney this weekend. After defeat to the Brumbies the Sharks will be looking for a momentum generating win ahead of their final tour match against the Crusaders in Christchurch next week.
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Ulster are lucky, Botha is a world-class tighthead who's in his prime still.
Good luck BJ
