World Cup calling for Germany and Botha
FORMER England international Mouritz Botha is hoping to make an impact at the next World Cup – with Germany.
Having hung up his boots after a career with Bedford, Saracens and Newcastle, Botha is forwards and defence coach with one of the emerging forces of European rugby as well as working with the country’s only full-time professional club, Heidelberg RC.
Botha, 35, capped 10 times by England in 2011 and 2012, is helping Germany to prepare for a three-match November series against the USA, South Korea and Brazil before their Rugby Europe Championship (REC) campaign resumes.
Wins over Romania and Belgium in last year’s ‘Six Nations B’ competition doubled as RWC qualifiers and have given Germany, world-ranked 23, a chance of claiming either the Europe 2 spot at Japan 2019 or making it into the play-offs.
“We have got certain goals – that is for Heidelberg to qualify for next season’s European Challenge Cup and for Germany to qualify for the World Cup,” Botha told TRP. “If we’re successful the exposure will kick-start German rugby.
“The players took a lot of confidence from the result against Romania (41-38). I have watched all the games from the tournament and I’m convinced that the result against Russia (a 52-25 loss) will be different second time around.”
Botha, a Premiership winner with Saracens, started coaching at Durham University under Alex Keay during the final two years of his playing career.
He said: “There is a lot of potential in the German side and one of the reasons I joined was to help them realise that. I get a lot of joy from coaching and seeing people develop.”
Botha’s appointment adds to the growing South African influence in German rugby. The Cape Town-born lock is working under countryman and head coach Kobus Potgieter, while fellow South Africans – goal-kicking utility back Raynor Parkinson, captain and lock Michael Poppmeier and tearaway flanker Jaco Otto – spearhead Germany on the pitch.
Now Botha is hoping to use his links within the English game to strengthen the Germany team further.
Recently retired Sale hooker Neil Briggs would have qualified for Germany had he not opted for England Saxons over Saxony, his birthplace.
Nevertheless, there are still plenty of German-born sons of British Army personnel like Briggs playing under the radar in the Championship or National Leagues for Germany to target.
Botha said: “Playing for Germany might not seem that attractive right now, but I am pretty sure if we quality for the World Cup they will be coming from left, right and centre to try and be involved.”
