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Bakkies has Smit`s back

Friday 07th November 2008

Muscle man: Bakkies Botha

With a number of question marks surrounding Springbok captain John Smit's move to tighthead prop, stalwart lock Bakkies Botha has assured South African fans that, if he has anything to do with it, Smit "won't be going backwards."

Botha will be scrumming behind his skipper when the World Champions take on Six Nations champions Wales on Saturday and is ready to put his weight behind Smit - quite literally.

"Just as long as John keeps his back straight, then there is no way he is going backwards," Botha told the international press on Thursday.

"I will be scrumming behind John, I have played with him for several seasons, I have huge respect for him both as a leader and a player. He has played a bit of tighthead in France recently, he also played there earlier in his career, so it is not as if he has no experience of the position.

"But you can be sure that I will be there to put my entire body weight behind John, and if he just keeps his back straight, then he won't be going backwards. Life is full of big challenges, and this is one of them."

"The Enforcer", who is looking fitter than ever, added that he is raring to after his enforced injury lay-off allowed him to recharge his batteries.

"I feel like a new guy coming in, I feel like Earl Rose and Heinrich Brussow (the two new caps) must feel, I feel refreshed," he said.

"I am now fully recovered from my knee injury and I feel like my body is really looking forward to making some contact over the next few weeks.

"I don't know how long I will be on the field, I have not given myself a mental cut-off point. But the doctor and the coaches will monitor my performance and how I look on the field and take it from there.

"What I can tell you is that during the time on the field I am going to make sure that the Welsh feel the presence of Bakkies, they will know I am there. I am looking forward to giving my all for my country and my teammates.

"We won't be underestimating Wales though, they are the Six Nations champions and we have respect for them as a team. When they were in our country in June they were very physical and on their home field here in Cardiff we expect them to be even more so."