Springboks’ Bakkies Botha likely to miss RWC opener due to Achilles injury
The Springboks’ seasoned lock, Bakkies Botha, is likely to miss the Rugby World Cup 2011 opener against Wales due to an Achilles injury. Botha was included in the final squad for the Springboks despite his particular injury and was expected to overcome the
setback in time for the opener. The Springboks spokesperson revealed the story to the media on September 6 and said that Botha does not look well enough to play against Wales on September 11.
Botha is one of those South African players who were part of the World Cup winning side during global show of 2007. He has been playing for the Boks since 2002 and represented his national side in 65 matches.
South Africa is opening its Rugby World Cup campaign on Sunday against the Welsh side after a miserable performance in the Tri-Nations Cup 2011. The Boks could win just one match after four outgoings in the last event before RWC and put a big question mark
on their capabilities to defend the title successfully.
The side was disrupted by huge injuries during the Tri-Nations Cup and yet again their start does not look well with the bad news of Bakkies’ injury. Meanwhile, Wales have got a good competitive side which could surprise the Boks after having a great time
in the warm-up matches. Wales won its last two warm up matches against England and Argentina by handsome margins before flying to New Zealand.
Pierre Spies, who publicised the news of Bakkies injury, said that, “Bakkies is a person you always miss, in his special way, but for us it's important to keep the routine of the team going. Danie is very similar to Bakkies, so we'll just stick to the way
we play, keep going with it and we won't change our plans. We'll wait and see how the week turns out and hopefully his foot can recover in time.”
Spies further said that, “We keep talking to our players about having composure in particular moments (because) (the Springboks') scrambling defence is very good.”
Rugby World Cup 2011 is kicking off after just a couple of days in New Zealand. Stay tuned for all the latest updates.
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