One of rugby’s most feared enforcers, Springbok legend Bakkies Botha reckons the breakdown contest has changed considerably from back in his heyday.
Botha believes rugby’s traditional enforcer has had to evolve with the modern game, suggesting today’s forwards must tread a far finer disciplinary line than in his era.
The former lock, renowned as one of rugby’s fiercest competitors during an illustrious career that yielded 85 Test caps and virtually every major honour, said law changes have transformed the role of the game’s hard men.
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Speaking during the announcement of Castle Double Malt as title sponsor of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, Botha told reporters: “The enforcer role has changed a little bit according to the rules and regulations.
“I think back in the days, and I don’t want to emphasise always in the back in those days but I finished up playing rugby almost 11 years ago and the game has evolved and changed.
“You don’t even actually get more than four or five players at the breakdown and back in the days, that was actually the battle zone – to pile in and get stuck into the breakdown to create quick ball.
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“But ja, it changed a bit of the enforcer role and that’s why I believe that the enforcer role is a bit of a finer line these days because again, you’re playing two, three phases and then there’s box-kicks,” he added.
“The enforcer in today’s rugby plays a different role than enforcers back in the days … get quicker ball to create the space for the backline.”
Despite the changes, the 46-year-old Botha still enjoys watching the game: “I loved it so much and I played it for 18 years professionally.
“It’s great to see the guys getting onto the pitch and playing that enforcer role, especially the back of forwards going forward … to lay the foundation to work from, and building the scoreboard [pressure] from minute one.”
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
The post Bakkies misses the battle zone appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
One of rugby’s most feared enforcers, Springbok legend Bakkies Botha reckons the breakdown contest has changed considerably from back in his heyday.
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