Botha 'excited' to be back

By Mark Stevens

Chrysander Botha says he’s “excited” to be back at Sandy Park as prepares to line-up for Namibia in their latest Rugby World Cup encounter against Tonga tomorrow (4:45pm).

Not since October last year - when London Irish were the visitors in the Aviva Premiership - has the 27-year-old featured in a competitive fixture at the Exeter stadium.

A sickening broken leg and dislocated ankle, sustained whilst on international duty against Canada last November, cut short Botha’s maiden campaign with the Exeter Chiefs following a promising start.

Months of hard work in the club gymnasium saw Botha return to action just before the end of the campaign, including scoring four tries for the Barbarians in a friendly against Heriot’s, and he has since gone on to prove his fitness for his country ahead of the World Cup.

Last week he was used as a second half replacement in Namibia’s opening game of the tournament against defending champions New Zealand, but tomorrow afternoon he starts in the No.15 jersey on his home ground.

It is little wonder that the talented back from Wavis Bay is relishing the opportunity that lies ahead, he said: “I’m very excited to be back at Sandy Park, it’s a wonderful place, a wonderful atmosphere and the people down here love watching good rugby.

“Yes, it will feel a little weird running out with a different shirt on, but I’m really looking forward to the occasion. This is my fourth or fifth game back from injury, but I’m feeling good good and can’t wait to get out there.”

With both Namibia and Tonga both searching for wins having lost their opening games, Botha is well aware of the threat posed by the Islanders, who will include former Exeter team-mate Fetu’u Vainikolo in their line-up.

“There has been a bit of banter between myself, Fetz and Elvis [Taione] during the week,” explained Botha. “That all stopped this morning as I told them I’m now focusing on the game, but we’ve done our homework on them and I shared a bit of info with the boys as well, so we know what to expect.”

Indeed, Namibia head coach Phil Davies - himself no stranger to Sandy Park having visited in the past with both Worcester Warriors and Cardiff Blues - knows Tonga will be determined to get their own campaign back on track following their loss to Georgia in the opening round.

“The key will be the belief the players have in themselves and the way we are trying to play football,” said Davies. “Tomorrow will be a fantastic occasion, but at the same time it’s a big challenge for us because we are playing a team who are nine places above us in the world rankings.

“For us, we have to rise to that challenge and show what we are capable of as a side. Against New Zealand we did a lot of good things and now it’s a case of just building on those positives.”

And with Namibia set to run out again in Devon against Georgia on October 7, Welshman Davies is hoping the local support will get behind his team from the outset.

“This is a fantastic, stadium and this is a great rugby area,” he continued. “The support Exeter get is fantastic, so hopefully that will be transferred into tomorrow’s occasion. As O said, tomorrow is a great challenge for us and one we’re very much looking forward to.”

Certainly skipper Jacques Burger (pictured) echoes the views of his coach with the Saracens forward demanding it’s vital he and his team-mates start strongly against the Ikale Tahi.

"Tonga are a really dangerous side. They've got a very physical way of playing. When we do kick, we have to make a good chase. What we lack in skills, or speed and power, we have to make up in desire.

"If we start slow against them, Tonga will punish us. You can expect a tough game tomorrow, but we will throw everything at them.”

Ever willing to lead from the front, the combative flanker says their 58-14 defeat against New Zealand has given his side the confidence and belief that they could take on and defeat their Pool C opponents from the Pacific Islands.

And at the pre-match press conference, Burger talked of winning "small victories”.

He added: "It remains our goal to win – it's not impossible. We know how tough Tonga are as a rugby side. We want to win. Not to compete, but to win. It will be tough but we want to do everything in our power to do that. We want to win a match at the World Cup and that's still our aim."