Botha sets his sights high

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs star Chrysander Botha admitted he was “delighted” to be back at Sandy Park, albeit not with his club, but with his country as part of the current Rugby World Cup.

The 27-year-old played for the whole 80 minutes as Namibia went down to a second successive Pool C defeat against rivals Tonga on Tuesday.

Botha and his Namibian colleagues will be back again at the Devon venue next Wednesday as they tackle Georgia in their next fixture - and the Wavis Bay-born ace is determined to make the most of the opportunity on offer.

Last season Botha’s debut campaign for the Chiefs was curtailed in November when he suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle whilst on international duty against Canada.

After five promising appearance for his new club, the talented full-back was then forced to spend much of the campaign working hard on getting fit again - and although he was virtually back to full fitness by the end of the season, he was not seen in an Exeter jersey again.

It is little wonder the former Lions back is determined to make up for lost time - and he hopes showcasing his talents on home turf will remind Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter of what he can offer to the Westcountry outfit.

I'm looking forward to enjoying another couple of games in the World Cup, coming back to Sandy Park and then doing well for the Chiefs," he said.

"I think I probably have a couple of pounds left to shed but I do feel good. I am running well, kicking well and doing everything else. I am stepping off my left foot too and I am just happy to be fully recovered after that leg break.

"Being in Europe, the Chiefs have got a lot of rugby and I am really looking forward to it. I just need to try and impress myself first and then hopefully the boss Rob Baxter and hopefully get a shot at No. 15 and push for a spot in the team."

Exeter head to Bristol this weekend to tackle Gloucester in the Westcountry Challenge Cup, marking the first of 27 consecutive weeks of scheduled games for the club.

With so much rugby ahead, Botha is optimistic about adding to his tally of five Chiefs appearances so far.

However, he will most likely have the chance to add to his Sandy Park total before then when Namibia face Georgia at the Devon ground on Wednesday.

"I think I've had three games at Sandy Park now and Tuesday was an awesome experience for us," said Botha. "The people down here love rugby and it is a great environment they create.

"We did feed off the atmosphere and support because we don't normally have the big crowds in Namibia.

"The boys love the atmosphere and the big stadiums. We know people love their rugby down here and we wanted to just put on a show.

"It was great to hear the Tomahawk Chop again too, although I would have loved it to be a Namibian rendition of it."

Unfortunately, Tuesday's match was not the Chiefs reunion it promised to be in the build-up.

Tongan hooker Elvis Taione (pictured above) was not included in the matchday squad, while former Exe speedster Fetu'u Vainikolo was withdrawn just before the game with a hamstring strain. However, he enjoyed the banter between the three of them.

"I think the old boys were taking a break!" Botha joked. "I think they have got a short turnaround and they are resting a couple of their boys.

"It was good to see them again though. Fets has left for France but Elvis is still here so I am expecting a bit of banter."