Cobus Claassen

Johannesburg – “God will lift you again and you will be an ambassador for Him. Now you have to hold your head high and look forward, my child.”

Those were the comforting words that Mrs Ria Botha left on Beeld’s website about Springbok lock Bakkies Botha on Tuesday. She writes that she is Bakkies’ mom, but did not respond to messages to confirm it.

She wrote that she is proud of her son’s statement on Super Rugby.

Botha apologised in tears on the rugby chat programme for the weekend’s headbutting incident, but considering some of the comments on websites, he should not expect forgiveness too soon from South African fans.

Many angry Bok supporters believe Botha should not wear the Green-and-Gold again any time soon.

Mrs Botha thanked coach Peter de Villiers, supporters and friends that are standing by him and see him for the person he is”.

“Our God is almighty, my son. All the ugly things that have been said about you have been cancelled out. Fortunately rugby is not god in our home.”

De Villiers stood up for Botha on Monday and said that he was not a rugby thug.

Former Springbok lock Kobus Wiese, who also had a reputation for robust play, said it was an over-emotional reaction by people to say that Botha should never be picked again.

“Bakkies knows he was wrong. He has been suspended and apologised and now has to work at it. I would pick him for the Boks again at any time.”

Wiese said he was also provoked in his career.

“It has always been part of the game and a guy like Schalk Burger has also been a target.”

Former Springbok captain Corné Krige, who was also involved in a few controversial incidents, said that he could understand that supporters were upset, but felt some of the criticism was not justified.

Krige was suspended for eight weeks in 2004 after headbutting an opponent twice.

“When I saw the incident on Saturday, I told my wife: ‘look at the stupid thing that Bakkies has done now’. She laughed and said that people used to say the same about me. Unfortunately things that happen in the heat of battle look very bad on TV.

“My experience was that certain players are targeted. Bakkies’ opponents know that he has a short fuse and try to exploit that.”

Krige said that Botha was “extremely valuable” and is a “must” for the Springboks.