What is former Springbok lock Bakkies Botha doing now?

Today at 06:07 AM

During his playing days, Bakkies Botha was known for his grit and perseverance on the rugby field and remains one of the most physically intimidating rugby players of all time.

During his time with the Springboks and the Blue Bulls, the man nicknamed ‘Yster’ formed a formidable partnership at lock with Victor Matfield, often regarded as one of the hardest locks in the world at that time.

Bakkies Botha was not only tough but big and tall

Botha made his Springbok debut against France in Marseille in 2002 at the age of 23. He went on to earn 85 caps for his country and played in three Rugby World Cups, winning the 2007 edition.

In addition to being a tough lock, Bakkies Botha was known for his confrontational style and temper on the field, which often led to suspensions. In April 2009, he received a three-match ban for striking Phil Waugh during a Super 14 match. Later, in June 2009, while playing for the Springboks in the second test against the British & Irish Lions, Botha was banned for two weeks for a dangerous charge on Lions prop Adam Jones in a ruck. This incident left the Welsh player with a dislocated shoulder that required surgery.

After leaving the Bulls in 2011, Bakkies joined the French side Toulon, where he played for four years before retiring from professional rugby.

What is Bakkies Botha doing now?

After hanging up his boots, Bakkies ventured into farming in Limpopo. In December of last year, he spoke with Agricoabout how he transitioned into the world of agriculture and embraced the challenges associated with farming.

"Throughout my rugby career, I had the privilege of travelling the world and seeing different cultures, but I always wanted to return to South Africa," Bakkies Botha said. "And the reason is simple: it's the people. There's something special about the heart of this country and the people who make it what it is."

yster is enjoying farming in Limpopo?

"Farming is not for the faint-hearted," he said. "It comes with its fair share of challenges, from droughts and disease to unpredictable market prices. But the rewards far outweigh the obstacles. Every day brings a new lesson, a new challenge, and the chance to improve. That's the beauty of it."

Besides the headbutt, what do you remember Bakkies for?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.

Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.