Springboks great Bakkis Botha: «Rugby broke today — no one knows what's going on»

Bakkis Botha was known for his fighting style in the South African pack. Photo: Getty Images/Phil Walter

Bakkis Botha, South Africa's legendary World Cup winner, lashed out at the current state of rugby union, calling the sport «disappointing, mundane and inconsistent.»

Botha, who won 85 games for Springboks between 2002 and 2014, lamented the lack of variety in the game and consistency in refereeing, and also lamented the lack of «enforcers» in the modern game, one of the most infamous of which he would be considered. to a string of controversial incidents and bans during his playing career.

“I understand the challenge World Rugby and its officials face at international level,” the 43-year-old told French rugby newspaper Midi Olympique . . «They're supposed to protect the players, but our game has become frustrating, mundane and inconsistent.

“From match to match, the interpretations of the referees change. In the stands or on TV, people don't understand anything.

“In my time, it seemed that there were more personalities on the field. Today all players are similar to each other. People called me «enforcer» — and I liked it! I found it added spice to the spectacle—professional sports are spectacle too, aren't they? The evolution of the laws has rid the sport of «enforcers» in my understanding; you won't get away with breaking in crabs like I did.

«I don't think today's rugby would suit me.»

Botha said his move to Toulon in 2011 was four years after a triumphant World Cup campaign with South Africa and two years after a streak of victories over the British and the Irish Lions — was fueled by apathy towards the heavily strategic course of international rugby and a desire to find more expression in the sport.

Botha and Brian O'Driscoll were involved in a brawl during the 2009 Lions. Test credit: Reuters/Rogan Ward

«I left for France in 2011 because international rugby didn't suit me anymore,» Botha added. “It has become too strategic, too cautious. This no longer allowed players to express their flair or their true nature.

“I found that the Top 14 still suits me: cruel, but within the law. I like it. I liked to go to Agen, Brive, Grenoble; scrap in greasy fields. The worst injury of my career was in the Top 14. In Brive, someone broke my arm [later one of Brive's strikers was suspected].

“Top 14 was slower than Super Rugby. but it was also much more physical. If you're not ready, the Top 14 chews you up, breaks you down, and spits you out. Once in Agen I got into a fight with a guy. He didn't like it and, getting up, he put his boot on my head.

“I left the field with 15 stitches.”

As for the upcoming World Cup, Bota considers the most open in history.

“I have no doubts about the capabilities of my springboxes,” he said. “But there are six or seven teams that can win the tournament.

“The French, if they manage to withstand the pressure of being the hosts, will be dangerous. All Blacks, English, Scots, Irish can knock anyone down too. As for the Fijians and Tongans, they have never been so well equipped.

“But I know how strong public pressure is in France. I've seen it at the club level and with the Springboks. And at the World Cup, this pressure will increase.”