Lions hooker PJ Botha is hoping to emulate the impact of World Player of the Year Malcolm Marx as he prepares to run out for his 100th match this weekend.
Botha has been a mainstay in the Lions Vodacom URC campaign this season, and is expected to lead the team out against Connacht at Ellis Park on Saturday. As a youngster, Botha looked up to Marx and that influence has stayed with him throughout his rise in Johannesburg.
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“When I was younger, Malcolm was here at the Lions, he was one of my big role models,” Botha said after the team’s practice session on Tuesday.
“I did get the chance to train with him a few times, although we never played together. Then there’s also someone like Jaco Visagie, he was an experienced player from whom I learned a lot.”
From those early lessons to now reaching a century of appearances, the journey has exceeded even his own expectations.
“When I was still at school, I thought it would be nice to maybe play one or two matches for a franchise in an international competition. To now reach 100 is incredible. The time has flown.
“It’s a privilege for me to reach this milestone, and I’m grateful that it will happen in a home match.”
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Despite the landmark, Botha remains one of the Lions’ most understated performers, something his coaches value deeply.
“His teammates are the people who understand his value the most,” said scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys.
“He is someone who is very consistent, he is a true team player and is one of the pillars of the team.”
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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