Tom Botha
{{short description|South African rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Tom Botha
| image = Tom Botha 2014.JPG
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|08|31|df=y}}
| birth_place = Bellville, South Africa
| height = {{height|m=1.79}}
| weight = {{cvt|110|kg|lb stlb}}
| nickname =
| occupation =
| school = Paul Roos Gymnasium
| university =
| relatives =
| position = Tighthead Prop
| currentclub = {{Rut|Ospreys}}
| youthyears1 = 2008
| youthclubs1 = {{Rut|Western Province}}
| youthyears2 = 2009
| youthclubs2 = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}
| youthyears3 = 2010–2011
| youthclubs3 = {{Rut|Western Province}}
| youthyears4 = 2012–2014
| youthclubs4 = {{Rut|Montpellier}}
| years1 = 2011–2012
| clubs1 = {{Rut|Western Province}}
| apps1 = 17
| points1 = 0
| years2 = 2014–2015
| clubs2 = {{Rut|Eastern Province Kings}}
| apps2 = 15
| points2 = 0
| years3 = 2016
| clubs3 = {{Rut|Southern Kings}}
| apps3 = 15
| points3 = 0
| years4 = 2016–2017
| clubs4 = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}
| apps4 = 8
| points4 = 5
| years5 = 2017–2018
| clubs5 = {{Rut|Cheetahs}}
| apps5 = 30
| points5 = 0
| years6 = 2017
| clubs6 = {{Rut|Free State XV}}
| apps6 = 1
| points6 = 0
| years7 = 2018–present
| clubs7 = {{Rut|Ospreys}}
| apps7 = 22
| points7 = 0
| repyears1 = 2008
| repteam1 = South Africa Schools Academy
| repcaps1 = 1
| reppoints1 = 0
| clubupdate = 6 May 2018
| repupdate = 22 April 2018
}}
Tom Botha (born 31 August 1990) is a South African rugby union player, currently playing with the {{Rut|Ospreys}} in Wales for the Welsh Pro14.{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=45947 | name=Tom Botha | date=29 May 2016}} His regular position is tighthead prop.
Rugby career
=2008 : Schools rugby=
He represented {{Rut|Western Province}} at the 2008 Under-18 Academy Week tournament held in George, where he helped his side to victories in all three of their matches. Shortly after the tournament, he earned a call-up to the South Africa Schools Academy side that played against a South Africa Schools side, running out 41–19 winners in a warm-up match prior to the {{nrut|South Africa}} versus {{nrut|Australia}} test match during the 2008 Tri Nations Series.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=16490 | homeid=7101 | awayid=7102 | leagueid=655 | hometeam=SA Schools | homescore=19 | awayscore=41 | awayteam=SA Schools Academy | matchdate=23 August 2008 | date=2 June 2016}} He also made a single appearance for {{Rut|Western Province U19}} during the 2008 Under-19 Provincial Championship, coming on as a replacement in their 20–18 victory against {{Rut|Free State U19}} in Cape Town.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=15851 | homeid=6901 | awayid=6902 | leagueid=635 | hometeam=Vodacom Western Province u19 | homescore=20 | awayscore=18 | awayteam=Free State u19 | matchdate=11 October 2008 | date=2 June 2016}}
=2009 : Sharks Under-19=
He moved to Durban in 2009 and played for the {{Rut|Sharks U19}} in the 2009 Under-19 Provincial Championship. He appeared in all six matches that they played in the competition (starting four of their matches and playing off the bench in the other two) as the Sharks finished in fifth position in the competition.
=2010–2012 : Western Province=
His time in Durban was short-lived, however, as he returned to Cape Town for the 2010 season. He started in four matches for {{Rut|Western Province U21}} during the regular season of Group A of the Under-21 Provincial Championship, helping Western Province finish top of the log with eleven wins in their twelve matches. He didn't feature in their semi-final draw against {{Rut|Free State U21}}{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=19777 | homeid=8042 | awayid=8033 | leagueid=769 | hometeam=Western Province | homescore=49 | awayscore=49 | awayteam=Free State | matchdate=16 October 2010 | date=2 June 2016}} – which saw Western Province progress to the final by virtue of scoring more tries in the match – but did start the final and helped Western Province win the title with a 43–32 victory over {{Rut|Blue Bulls U21}}.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=19798 | homeid=8004 | awayid=8042 | leagueid=769 | hometeam=Blue Bulls | homescore=32 | awayscore=43 | awayteam=Western Province | matchdate=30 October 2010 | date=2 June 2016}}
He made his first team debut for Western Province in the 2011 Vodacom Cup, by starting their Round Two match against the {{Rut|Falcons}} as a loosehead prop in an 86–14 victory.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=19904 | homeid=8472 | awayid=8462 | leagueid=802 | hometeam=Valke | homescore=14 | awayscore=86 | awayteam=DHL Western Province | matchdate=5 March 2011 | date=2 June 2016}} He reverted to his more familiar tighthead prop role for their next three matches – a 56–9 victory over Namibian side {{Rut|Welwitschias}} in Botha's home debut,{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=20056 | homeid=8462 | awayid=8476 | leagueid=802 | hometeam=DHL Western Province | homescore=56 | awayscore=9 | awayteam=Welwitschias | matchdate=11 March 2011 | date=2 June 2016}} a 16–8 win over the {{Rut|Blue Bulls}} in Pretoria{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=20060 | homeid=8471 | awayid=8462 | leagueid=802 | hometeam=Vodacom Blue Bulls | homescore=8 | awayscore=16 | awayteam=DHL Western Province | matchdate=19 March 2011 | date=2 June 2016}} and a 23–22 win over {{Rut|Griquas}}.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=20072 | homeid=8462 | awayid=8467 | leagueid=802 | hometeam=DHL Western Province | homescore=23 | awayscore=22 | awayteam=GWK Griquas | matchdate=26 March 2011 | date=2 June 2016}} He came on as a half-time replacement in their final match of the regular season, a 26–12 victory over the {{Rut|Leopards}} in Potchefstroom,{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=20048 | homeid=8469 | awayid=8462 | leagueid=802 | hometeam=Leopards | homescore=12 | awayscore=26 | awayteam=DHL Western Province | matchdate=16 April 2011 | date=2 June 2016}} as Western Province went through the regular season with seven wins and a draw in their eight matches. He once again came on as a half-time replacement in their quarter final match against a {{Rut|Sharks XV}}, but ended the match in disappointment as the Sharks won 21–19 to eliminate Western Province from the competition.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=20541 | homeid=8462 | awayid=8466 | leagueid=802 | hometeam=DHL Western Province | homescore=19 | awayscore=21 | awayteam=Sharks XV | matchdate=30 April 2011 | date=2 June 2016}} Botha started for Western Province in their compulsory friendly match against {{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}} prior to the 2011 Currie Cup Premier Division,{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=20695 | homeid=8791 | awayid=8792 | leagueid=825 | hometeam=Boland Cavaliers | homescore=22 | awayscore=15 | awayteam=DHL Western Province | matchdate=23 June 2011 | date=2 June 2016}} but didn't feature for the senior side in the competition proper. Instead, Botha played for the Western Province U21 side that tried to retain the title they won in 2010. He started in nine of their first ten matches in the competition – coming on as a replacement in the other – but didn't feature in the play-offs, as Western Province fell short on this occasion, with the {{Rut|Sharks U21}}s beating them 19–12 in the semi-finals.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=102801 | homeid=8572 | awayid=8562 | leagueid=811 | hometeam=Western Province | homescore=12 | awayscore=19 | awayteam=Sharks | matchdate=21 October 2011 | date=2 June 2016}}
He was a key member of Western Province's 2012 Vodacom Cup campaign, starting nine of their ten matches in the competition and playing off the bench in the other. They won all seven of their matches during the regular season to finish top of the Southern Section log to qualify for the quarter-finals. Botha started their 58–34 victory over the {{Rut|Golden Lions}} in the quarter-finals,{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=111391 | homeid=11421 | awayid=11391 | leagueid=1211 | hometeam=DHL Western Province | homescore=58 | awayscore=34 | awayteam=MTN Golden Lions | matchdate=5 May 2012 | date=2 June 2016}} the 33–20 win over the {{Rut|Pumas}} in the semi-final{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=111441 | homeid=11421 | awayid=11371 | leagueid=1211 | hometeam=DHL Western Province | homescore=33 | awayscore=20 | awayteam=Ford Pumas | matchdate=12 May 2012 | date=2 June 2016}} and also in the final against four-time champions {{Rut|Griquas}}, where he helped Western Province to a 20–18 win to win the competition for the first time in their history.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=111921 | homeid=11351 | awayid=11421 | leagueid=1211 | hometeam=GWK Griquas | homescore=18 | awayscore=20 | awayteam=DHL Western Province | matchdate=18 May 2012 | date=2 June 2016}} He was included in the Western Province squads for the 2012 Currie Cup Premier Division and was even included in a matchday squad for their match against the {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}} in Durban, but failed to get any game time in the competition.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=104331 | homeid=11541 | awayid=11531 | leagueid=1221 | hometeam=The Sharks | homescore=43 | awayscore=27 | awayteam=DHL Western Province | matchdate=15 September 2012 | date=2 June 2016}}
=2012–2014 : Montpellier=
In October 2012, the player announced that he joined {{Rut|Montpellier}}. He played for Montpellier's Under-23 team (the espoirs) during the 2012–2013 season and helped them to winning the competition, beating their {{Rut|Agen}} counterparts 37–20 in the final in May 2013.{{cite web | url=http://www.montpellier-rugby.com/news/champion-de-france | title=Champion de France | work=Montpellier | date=13 May 2013 | accessdate=16 February 2016 | language=French}}{{cite web | url=http://www.lerugbynistere.fr/news/espoirs-montpellier-champion-france-1305131547.php | title=Espoirs: Montpellier champion de France | work=Le Rugby Nistere | date=13 May 2013 | accessdate=16 February 2016 | language=French}} He again played for the Under-23 team during the 2013–2014 season, but failed to make the breakthrough into the first team.
=2014–2016 : Eastern Province Kings / Southern Kings=
He returned to South Africa in June 2014 by joining Port Elizabeth-based side {{Rut|Eastern Province Kings}} on a short-term contract prior to their return to the Premier Division of the Currie Cup.{{cite web | url=http://www.rugby365.com/article/60397-kings-go-shopping-overseas | title=Kings go shopping overseas | publisher=Rugby365 | date=3 June 2014 | accessdate=3 June 2014}} He made his Eastern Province Kings (and Currie Cup) debut in their 16–35 defeat to former side Western Province in the opening round of the competition.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=120044 | homeid=18114 | awayid=18124 | leagueid=1784 | hometeam=Eastern Province Kings | homescore=16 | awayscore=35 | awayteam=DHL Western Province | matchdate=8 August 2014 | date=2 June 2016}} He also started their matches against the {{Rut|Golden Lions}}{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=119664 | homeid=18104 | awayid=18114 | leagueid=1784 | hometeam=Xerox Golden Lions | homescore=60 | awayscore=19 | awayteam=Eastern Province Kings | matchdate=16 August 2014 | date=2 June 2016}} and the {{Rut|Blue Bulls}},{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=119694 | homeid=18094 | awayid=18114 | leagueid=1784 | hometeam=Vodacom Blue Bulls | homescore=30 | awayscore=25 | awayteam=Eastern Province Kings | matchdate=23 August 2014 | date=2 June 2016}} the return leg against the Golden Lions{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=119744 | homeid=18114 | awayid=18104 | leagueid=1784 | hometeam=Eastern Province Kings | homescore=22 | awayscore=41 | awayteam=Xerox Golden Lions | matchdate=30 August 2014 | date=2 June 2016}} and Western Province.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=119774 | homeid=18124 | awayid=18114 | leagueid=1784 | hometeam=DHL Western Province | homescore=49 | awayscore=14 | awayteam=Eastern Province Kings | matchdate=5 September 2014 | date=2 June 2016}} and a match against the {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=119884 | homeid=18114 | awayid=18144 | leagueid=1784 | hometeam=Eastern Province Kings | homescore=22 | awayscore=37 | awayteam=Toyota Free State Cheetahs | matchdate=20 September 2014 | date=2 June 2016}} Botha finished on the losing side in all those matches as a disappointing season saw the Eastern Province Kings lose their first nine matches before securing a 26–25 win over the {{Rut|Pumas}} in their final match.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=120004 | homeid=18114 | awayid=18134 | leagueid=1784 | hometeam=Eastern Province Kings | homescore=26 | awayscore=25 | awayteam=Steval Pumas | matchdate=10 October 2014 | date=2 June 2016}} At the end of the season, Botha signed a two-year contract extension to remain in Port Elizabeth until the end of 2016.{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby15.co.za/ep-kings-pre-season-training-squad-announcedee/ | title=EP Kings Pre Season Training Squad announced | publisher=Rugby15 | date=5 November 2014 | access-date=5 November 2014 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422094125/http://www.rugby15.co.za/2014/11/ep-kings-pre-season-training-squad-announcedee/ | archive-date=22 April 2016 }}
He appeared in just one match during the 2015 Vodacom Cup – a 19–27 defeat to {{Rut|Griquas}}{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=140304 | homeid=24414 | awayid=24624 | leagueid=2304 | hometeam=EP Kings | homescore=19 | awayscore=27 | awayteam=GWK Griquas | matchdate=21 March 2015 | date=2 June 2016}} – with a rib injury keeping him out for the remainder of the competition.{{cite web | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2015/04/14/OS/16/mgkings-OS_32_0_834981708.html | title=Luke looi al bande – maar gaan hy jol? | work=Die Burger | date=14 April 2015 | accessdate=16 February 2016 | language=Afrikaans}} He started eight of the Eastern Province Kings' matches during the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division, including both their victories during the season (a 32–24 win over the {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=144864 | homeid=26614 | awayid=26634 | leagueid=2494 | hometeam=EP Kings | homescore=32 | awayscore=24 | awayteam=Toyota Free State | matchdate=11 September 2015 | date=2 June 2016}} and a 40–37 win over {{Rut|Griquas}} two weeks later){{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=144964 | homeid=26614 | awayid=26574 | leagueid=2494 | hometeam=EP Kings | homescore=40 | awayscore=37 | awayteam=ORC Griquas | matchdate=26 September 2015 | date=2 June 2016}} as they slightly improved on their 2015 showing, finishing in seventh position.
At the end of 2015, the worsening financial situation at the Eastern Province Kings resulted in all players' contracts being declared null and void,{{cite web | url=http://www.rugby365.com/tournaments/super-rugby/69935-kings-facing-player-exodus | title=Kings facing player exodus? | work=Rugby365 | date=11 November 2015 | accessdate=11 November 2015}} but Botha was one of the first 20 players that joined the {{Rut|Southern Kings}} Super Rugby side in the 2016 Super Rugby season.{{cite press release | url=http://www.sarugby.net/news/24545?view=news&leagueId=2714 | title=Southern Kings announce first signings | publisher=South African Rugby Union | date=13 December 2015 | accessdate=13 December 2015}}
=2016–present : Free State Cheetahs / Cheetahs=
In May 2016, the {{Rut|Cheetahs}} announced that Botha signed a two-year deal with the Bloemfontein-based side, joining them on 1 August 2016.{{cite press release | url=http://www.fscheetahs.co.za/News.aspx?newsid=3125 | title=Tight Head Props secured for 2017 season | publisher=Cheetahs | date=24 May 2016 | accessdate=24 May 2016 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524170209/http://www.fscheetahs.co.za/News.aspx?newsid=3125 | archivedate=24 May 2016}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Ospreys squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Botha, Tom}}
Category:Cheetahs (rugby union) players
Category:Eastern Province Elephants players
Category:Free State Cheetahs players
Category:Ospreys (rugby union) players
Category:Rugby union players from Bellville, South Africa
Category:South African rugby union players
Category:Southern Kings players
Category:21st-century South African sportsmen