Younger New South Wales Waratahs prop Dan Botha attracts inspiration from southern African rugby roots as he eyes a Wallabies call-up. Born to a Zimbabwean father and Zambian mom, Botha begins at tighthead towards the Fijian Drua on Friday at Allianz Stadium, marking the staff’s second Tremendous Rugby match.
Rising Via the Entrance Row Ranks
Botha performed a full 80 minutes within the Waratahs’ latest victory over Queensland, solidifying his standing amongst Australia’s elite props. With Taniela Tupou now in France and Angus Bell on sabbatical, the entrance row lacks depth—all gamers have fewer than 30 Tremendous Rugby appearances. As probably the most skilled tighthead with 23 video games, Botha steps up.
“It is one thing I’ve thought-about, even final 12 months,” Botha mentioned. “I intention to assert that quantity three jersey this season and ship constant performances.”
Botha earned the beginning function final 12 months when Tupou struggled for kind. Now in his fourth season with the Waratahs, he progressed from Scots School stardom, the 2019 Australian Faculties staff, the NSW academy, and Sydney College.
Studying from Exhausting Knocks
Props peak of their late 20s, and Botha embodies regular development via on-field trials. “One of the best classes for front-rowers come from powerful scrums,” Waratahs scrum coach Dan Palmer famous.
Botha added, “Props develop slowly, bodily and with expertise. In my first 12 months, towards the Brumbies, we performed short-handed. I lasted three minutes earlier than a yellow card in scrums versus Slipper, Lonergan, and Alaalatoa. It humbled me, however these moments train probably the most. At 24, I am able to move on these classes.”
Household Ties to Rugby Glory
Botha’s father, Chris, performed second row for Zimbabwe on the 1991 Rugby World Cup. Like David Pocock’s household, the Bothas fled their Zimbabwe tobacco farm within the mid-Nineties amid turmoil. Dan was born in Sydney in 2002.
“Our story mirrors Pocock’s—kicked off the farm,” Botha recounted. “My mother and father arrived in 1996 and attended a Waratahs recreation towards Transvaal on the SFS, the primary Tremendous 12 match. Thirty years later, I debuted there.”
Although his father lives in South Africa, household cheered Botha not too long ago. Zimbabwe certified for the 2027 World Cup—first since 1991—sparking talks, however Botha represented Australia A final 12 months.
“I am Australian, born right here,” he affirmed. “Perhaps later as an older participant, however now I goal the Wallabies and this World Cup.”
Palmer praised his protégé: “Dan works tirelessly on his abilities. When the prospect comes, he’ll seize it.”
