Bakkies out to push Boks' buttons
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Bakkies Botha says the goal for the World XV this weekend is to ask as many questions as possible of the Springboks.
The former Bok lock enforcer sees this match as an important part of the Springboks' World Cup preparations, and wants to contribute to the cause by making life as difficult as possible for them at Newlands on Saturday.
"I just want to ask the questions that need to be asked to prepare the Springboks for what is coming.
"It is going to be tough and I am just going to enjoy it and hopefully we are going to push all the buttons that need to be pushed to make it a worthwhile game against the Springboks.
"The Springboks have got a plan that they bought into years ago, so we want to go out there and ask a lot of questions on defence and attack, because that is the only way to get yourself prepared for the World Cup," he said.
Although Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has said he is still hopeful that Botha will change his mind about his retirement in the same way that Victor Matfield and Jaque Fourie have, the imposing lock made it clear that a comeback for the World Cup is not an option for him.
"I truly believe that if I go into intensive training again I can do another World Cup but I finished on my terms and I am happy about that."For me as a player I achieved everything I wanted in my career and I have got nothing to prove.
"This weekend I am just going to play the game and enjoy it, for me it is to ask as many questions as we as a team can of the Springboks," he explained.
Botha admitted that he is no longer as aggressive as he was in his younger years, but will still be going hard at the Springboks this weekend as the World XV look to give them a solid test ahead of the World Cup.
"For me as a player the aggression definitely started to fade away with age, because it is a lot of effort to keep up the game and that was one of the reasons I made the call to retire from international rugby.
"How many players in world rugby retire on their terms? This weekend I just want to go onto the pitch and earn the respect of the guy next to me.
"The Springboks have only got a few games left before the World Cup and for us we just want to play the game to the best of our ability, and hopefully we can ask a few questions and they can fine-tune," he added.
By Michael de Vries
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