Time's up for Bakkies Botha

08 July 2015 - 02:02 By Liam del Carme

The news of Bakkies Botha's international resurrection is greatly exaggerated. The former Bok lock, who will be playing against his former teammates for the World XV at Newlands on Saturday, has ruled out a return to the green and gold for the World Cup.The agent provocateur of the Bok second row has mellowed, a little too much for his liking."Ag, I think for me the aggression has started to fade away with age," he said yesterday."It is a lot of effort to keep up with the game. That was one of the big reasons I made the call to retire from international rugby. I made the decision when I knew I was still good enough. Not many players retire on their terms."Botha stressed he has nothing more to prove, no more peaks to scale: "When I walked off Twickenham with my little medal (Heineken Cup) it felt like my World Cup. As a player you have to decide what is enough. When is enough, enough?"When asked about his former lock partner Victor Matfield, who is still trucking at the ripe age of 38, Botha said: "He can add value. He can bring that calmness, especially at line-outs."He is a phenomenal athlete. He is running in front in fitness sessions. He has an important role to play."Botha's partner at Toulon, former All Black Ali Williams concurs."Rugby is mental. If you don't want to go to that dark place, the one that isn't very friendly then there is no point."Victor obviously wants to do it. Bakkies doesn't need it."Williams has also officially stepped away from the game.Though he is part of a composite side on Saturday, he isn't about to go soft on the Boks."We are not here to party. We are here to play as well."Botha, too, wants to stir one more time."Hopefully we can ask all the questions that need to be asked."The Boks have a plan that they've bought into and we need to ask questions of their defence and attack."That is the only way you can prepare yourself for the World Cup."..

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