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![Bakkies-Botha-South-Africa_2537098.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.planetrugby.com%2F10%2F12%2F218x298%2FBakkies-Botha-South-Africa_2537098.jpg&hash=eaa0ca16c24f6ef8a594e1cb77e8550f)
Toulon's bid to sign World Cup-winning Springbok lock Bakkies Botha could be hijacked by the big-spending Lions.
Botha has been linked to a move to France at the end of the World Cup, with Toulon having already held talks with the Bulls and South Africa lock.
However the Lions have now entered the race for the 31-year-old powerhouse - with the Johannesburg franchise looking to put together a side capable of challenging for the Super Rugby ***le.
South Africa fly-half Butch James will link up with the Lions at the end of his current deal with Bath, while full-back Frans Steyn and prop BJ Botha have also been approached according to reports.
And the Lions, who are now being bankrolled by billionaire businessmen Robert Gumede and Ivor Ichikowitz, have been buoyed by news that Botha would prefer to remain in South Africa.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_6743662,00.html