1
Munster nab Springbok forward
By Online Editors
Munster and the IRFU have confirmed the one-year signing of South Africa back rower Arno Botha.
The 26-year-old, currently with London Irish, will join the province at the beginning of the 2018/19 season, subject to medical clearance and obtaining a work permit.
Botha, an explosive ball carrier who plays flank and No.8, played his entire professional career with the Blue Bulls before moving to London in January.
A former South Africa Under-20s captain, he featured for the Springboks on two occasions in 2013.
Continue reading below
Commenting on the signing, Munster head coach Johann van Graan said: "In building our squad for next season I believe Arno will be a great addition to our side, adding further depth and strength to our back row options.
"From my time with the Bulls and South Africa I have first-hand experience of what Arno is capable of. A physical ball carrier and lineout jumper, he leads by example with his work-rate, commitment and physicality, and we look forward to welcoming him to the province."
Botha played for the Bulls 47 times at Super Rugby level between 2012 and 2017. He made his debut for the Springboks in June 2013 and in his second test left the field after just four minutes of play having ruptured ligaments in his left knee.
Botha will join former Bulls teammate and fellow South Africa U20 representative CJ Stander in the Munster back row.
In other news:
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Bristol confirm Harry Byrne signing
3
Sam Burgess' admission of guilt over rugby union experience
4
Close to perfection: Johann van Graan's favourite game
5
Latest Comments
Has there ever been a Red and Black you don't rate GP over the years? However to be fair most of your favs have had the goods.
Go to commentsI'm not very hopeful of a better change to the sport. Putting an Aussie in charge after they failed for two decades is just disgusting. What else will be brought in to weaken the game? What new rule changes will be made? How will the game be grown?
Nothing of value in this letter. There is no definitive drive towards something better. Just more of the same as usual. The most successful WC team is getting snubbed again and again for WC's hosting rights. What will make other competitions any different?
My beloved rugby is already a global sport. Why is there no SH team chosen between the Boks, AB's, Wallabies and Fiji? Like a B&I Lions team to tour Europe and America? A team that could face not only countries but also the B&I Lions? Wouldn't that make for a great spectacle that will also bring lots of eyeballs to the sport?
Instead with an Aussie in charge, rugby will become more like rugby league. Rugby will most likely become less global if we look at what have become of rugby in Australia. He can't save rugby in Australia, how will he improve the global footprint of rugby world wide?
I hope to be proven wrong and that he will raise up the sport to new heights, but I am very much in doubt. It's like hiring a gardener to a CEO position in a global company expecting great results. It just won't happen. Call me negative or call me whatever you'd like, Robinson is the wrong man for the job.
Go to comments