BJ Botha

Tri-Nations & down time

LIFE IN THE SPRINGBOK SQUAD
Besides the disappointing results, being back in the Springbok camp has been unbelievable.

Playing for the Springboks is where I want to be and the fact that I’m not there now makes me that much hungrier to regain my place. There is a process in place however and I know I’ll have to perform for Ulster to be called up again.

DOWN TIME

There are a few Boks who don’t return to their respective unions during the Tri-Nations; usually the players who have played every test or have had a lot of game time. When they do manage to put their feet up, they’ll spend time on what they enjoy outside of the game: Family, hobbies and generally recovering from past matches. Any professional rugby player will tell you that you actually never totally rest. There is always something to do, be it rehab on a recurring or current injury or simply keeping the body ticking over with a little gym and a run during the week. It is important however to find a balance between rest and keeping the body sufficiently conditioned and ready for the next game, whenever that might be.

Personally it’s just been great to be back in SA again, spending time as a family doing things that we take for granted when we’re in Northern Ireland (such as braais outside, spending time on our great beaches and visiting the KZN Midlands). We really enjoy the Drakensberg and make a trip up there when we can. We recently visited one of our favourite places, Hartford House: A stud farm and a great retreat to relax, enjoy the outdoors in good company and really do nothing.

We’ll also be planning a trip to spend a couple of days at the beach; a very enjoyable and unique luxury that you can’t really experience in Belfast. As you might have seen on Top Billing, I’m an avid mountain biker and looking forward to testing myself in a race at Howick on the weekend. I’ve also started working on my handicap again and have been enjoying a few rounds with some friends, particularly on my home course, Cotswold Downs.

We’ve also spent a number of afternoons at our favourite lunch venue, Bellevue in Kloof. It’s always been a great excuse for a meeting or get together. Also looking forward to spending some time at our local dinner venue, Aubergine in Hillcrest, where a great South African wine will definitely be on the cards.

VISITING THE SHARK TANK

I’ve had the chance to make my way to the Shark Tank to watch my old teammates and it’s been great to be at ABSA Stadium again to feel the atmosphere that I enjoyed for numerous years! 

ULSTER

Ulster meanwhile have been on a stringent training programme and have completed a number of pre-season games before we start the season on 4 September. I’m really looking forward to getting together with my teammates and some of the new faces that have joined Ulster, namely Johann Muller, Pedrie Wannenberg and Ruan Pienaar. Personally, I’m relishing the chance to get some silverware in my last season with Ulster. I think we have a great opportunity to do well this season, but it is a process and we have to play each game at a time and put steps into place and practice to drive the Ulster machine forward!

SOUND OFF

I’ll be back with some news in the next two weeks where I will wrap up the Tri-Nations, touch on my arrival back in Belfast and share what my last two weeks of holiday in SA were like.