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Cape Town - Springbok lock Bakkies Botha says he is ready to represent his country should national coach Heyneke Meyer come calling.
The 33-year-old, who currently plies his trade in France, was instrumental in Toulon's 16-15 Heineken Cup final win over Clermont Auvergne at the weekend.
In an interview with the Eyewitness News website, the former Blue Bull says he hasn’t had contact with Meyer but feels he's in the form of his life.
“I always say to people it’s not in my hands, at the end of the day it’s in God’s hands and I just want to keep myself as fit as possible so if there comes a call through then I’ll be ready.
“I love it in Toulon, I’m just happy we can win a trophy like the Heineken Cup. I don’t know what the future holds for me but I just want to keep myself healthy and fit.”
The 76-Test veteran last played for South Africa the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, but he feels his achievements with Toulon prove that he still has what it takes to play at the very top of the game.
“It (Heineken Cup title) shows that I didn’t just come overseas to collect my pension or retire. We’re putting in the hard yards, the Heineken Cup final and the winning of it, shows the outside world that we’re not in Toulon to have a nice holiday and get some good money to retire.
“We work hard and the way we work hard means that we can still participate with international teams.”
Botha was one of three South Africans part of the victorious Toulon side, the others being his former team-mate at the Bulls Danie Rossouw and Joe van Niekerk.
Toulon are also in with a shot at winning the French Top 14. They face Toulouse in the semi-finals in Nantes on Friday.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Should Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer call on Bakkies Botha's services this season? Or are there enough quality locks in Super Rugby? Send your thoughts to Sport24.
The 33-year-old, who currently plies his trade in France, was instrumental in Toulon's 16-15 Heineken Cup final win over Clermont Auvergne at the weekend.
In an interview with the Eyewitness News website, the former Blue Bull says he hasn’t had contact with Meyer but feels he's in the form of his life.
“I always say to people it’s not in my hands, at the end of the day it’s in God’s hands and I just want to keep myself as fit as possible so if there comes a call through then I’ll be ready.
“I love it in Toulon, I’m just happy we can win a trophy like the Heineken Cup. I don’t know what the future holds for me but I just want to keep myself healthy and fit.”
The 76-Test veteran last played for South Africa the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, but he feels his achievements with Toulon prove that he still has what it takes to play at the very top of the game.
“It (Heineken Cup title) shows that I didn’t just come overseas to collect my pension or retire. We’re putting in the hard yards, the Heineken Cup final and the winning of it, shows the outside world that we’re not in Toulon to have a nice holiday and get some good money to retire.
“We work hard and the way we work hard means that we can still participate with international teams.”
Botha was one of three South Africans part of the victorious Toulon side, the others being his former team-mate at the Bulls Danie Rossouw and Joe van Niekerk.
Toulon are also in with a shot at winning the French Top 14. They face Toulouse in the semi-finals in Nantes on Friday.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Should Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer call on Bakkies Botha's services this season? Or are there enough quality locks in Super Rugby? Send your thoughts to Sport24.
