Mouritz Botha
Encyclopedia
Mouritz Botha is a rugby union
player who plays for Saracens
in the Aviva Premiership. He joined English club Bedford Blues
in 2006 and made 73 appearances before moving to Saracens F.C.
in 2009. Botha was named in the 2011 England Saxons squad for the Churchill Cup after qualifying for England on residency grounds. In 2011 he was selected in the England 44 man squad for the 2011 World Cup and made his England debut in the 23-19 England victory over Wales.
from Bedford Athletic in 2006 and was a mainstay in the Bedford team. His performances for the Bedford team got the attention of many different people including the selectors for the East Midlands team. Botha was selected for the East Midlands team to play in the match against the Barbarians. These performances eventually got the attention of the incoming Saracens head coach Brendan Venter
and he was signed for Saracens in 2009.
in the summer of 2009 from the National League One team the Bedford Blues
. He made his debut on the 5 September 2009 in the London Double Header
against London Irish
. He came on as a substitute in the 60th minute for fellow Saracens lock Hugh Vyvyan
. Mouritz was a success in his first season for Saracens and quickly became a fan's favourite. The season ended in an appearance in the Guinness Premiership Final for Saracens. He again came on as a substitute in this game. Overall in the 2009-2010 season he had 32 appearances and scored 1 try.
during the 2010-2011 season. Mouritz played a vital role in helping Saracens to win the 2011 Aviva Premiership. Along the way he made 27 appearances and was named in the 2011 Sky Sports Dream Team. As a reward for his fantastic performances during the season he was named in the 2011 England Saxons
squad for the Churchill Cup
. He made his debut in the 87-8 victory over the USA. After his performances for the Saxons, Mouritz was selected in the full England squad and made his debut against Wales.
and has continued his role as a first team regular hoping to help the team to repeat and possibly better their success of the previous season. So far this season he has made 8 appearances.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player who plays for Saracens
Saracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
in the Aviva Premiership. He joined English club Bedford Blues
Bedford Blues
Bedford Blues is a rugby union club in the town of Bedford, England, currently playing in The RFU Championship. Bedford is one of the largest towns in England without a league football club, and one of the few towns in England where the rugby club is better supported than the football team. The...
in 2006 and made 73 appearances before moving to Saracens F.C.
Saracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
in 2009. Botha was named in the 2011 England Saxons squad for the Churchill Cup after qualifying for England on residency grounds. In 2011 he was selected in the England 44 man squad for the 2011 World Cup and made his England debut in the 23-19 England victory over Wales.
Bedford Blues
Botha joined Bedford BluesBedford Blues
Bedford Blues is a rugby union club in the town of Bedford, England, currently playing in The RFU Championship. Bedford is one of the largest towns in England without a league football club, and one of the few towns in England where the rugby club is better supported than the football team. The...
from Bedford Athletic in 2006 and was a mainstay in the Bedford team. His performances for the Bedford team got the attention of many different people including the selectors for the East Midlands team. Botha was selected for the East Midlands team to play in the match against the Barbarians. These performances eventually got the attention of the incoming Saracens head coach Brendan Venter
Brendan Venter
Brendan Venter is a former rugby union player who played at centre and also coached for London Irish. He is currently director of rugby at Saracens...
and he was signed for Saracens in 2009.
Saracens
Botha started the 2009/10 season having just signed from National League One side Bedford Blues, but he finished it as one of the Premiership’s most consistent second rows and pushing for international honours with England.2009–2010 season
Botha was signed for SaracensSaracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
in the summer of 2009 from the National League One team the Bedford Blues
Bedford Blues
Bedford Blues is a rugby union club in the town of Bedford, England, currently playing in The RFU Championship. Bedford is one of the largest towns in England without a league football club, and one of the few towns in England where the rugby club is better supported than the football team. The...
. He made his debut on the 5 September 2009 in the London Double Header
London Double Header
The London Double Header began in 2004 and opens what was the Zurich Premiership and is now the Aviva Premiership, the top rugby union league in England....
against London Irish
London Irish
London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top...
. He came on as a substitute in the 60th minute for fellow Saracens lock Hugh Vyvyan
Hugh Vyvyan
Hugh Donnithorne Vyvyan is a rugby union player who plays at lock for Saracens and England. He stands at 6'6" and weighs around 18 stone....
. Mouritz was a success in his first season for Saracens and quickly became a fan's favourite. The season ended in an appearance in the Guinness Premiership Final for Saracens. He again came on as a substitute in this game. Overall in the 2009-2010 season he had 32 appearances and scored 1 try.
2010–2011 season
Mouritz Botha played for SaracensSaracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
during the 2010-2011 season. Mouritz played a vital role in helping Saracens to win the 2011 Aviva Premiership. Along the way he made 27 appearances and was named in the 2011 Sky Sports Dream Team. As a reward for his fantastic performances during the season he was named in the 2011 England Saxons
England Saxons
England Saxons is the current name of England's men's second national rugby union team. The team has previously been known by a number of names, such as England B, Emerging England and, most recently, England A...
squad for the Churchill Cup
Churchill Cup
The Churchill Cup was an annual rugby union tournament, held in June, contested by representative men's teams from Canada, England, the United States, and other invited teams from a wide array of countries....
. He made his debut in the 87-8 victory over the USA. After his performances for the Saxons, Mouritz was selected in the full England squad and made his debut against Wales.
2011-2012 season
For Mouritz this season is his third for SaracensSaracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
and has continued his role as a first team regular hoping to help the team to repeat and possibly better their success of the previous season. So far this season he has made 8 appearances.