Botha’s contractual bungle set to explode

Botha’s contractual bungle set to explode

1 Apr 2008

Bakkies Botha’s transfer saga continues to get more twisted, with both the Bulls and Toulon laying claim to him.

Botha is one of a number of elite players targeted by the French second division club, who already own Botha’s Springbok lock partner Victor Matfield, legendary Australia scrumhalf George Gregan, All Blacks Anton Oliver and Andrew Mehrtens, while All Blacks great Tana Umaga coaches the galaxy of stars.

When keo.co.za spoke to millionaire Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal on a recent visit to the club, he explained that Botha had signed a pre-contract with them, and would join on 1 April. He said the document indicated Botha’s intent to sign an official contract but explained that Botha was now legally obligated to join the club.

The Bulls, however, refused to release the player, despite his request, citing the fact that he was bound to the franchise by a four year contract he signed in late 2007.

This website has learned that Boudjellal last week showed the Toulon media the contract with Botha’s signature on the dotted line. Boudjellal insisted that they would secure Botha’s services irrespective of the Bulls’ assertions to the contrary.

If Botha failed to arrive on the specified date, Boudjellal said the club would proceed with legal action against the player. As it stands Botha is with the Bulls in Perth preparing for their Super 14 match against the Force. Unless the lock has developed a supernatural ability to teleport himself across the world, he is unlikely to show up for work in the south of France.

Toulon claim they have sent a copy of the signed contract to the South African Rugby Union [Saru]. However, Saru general manager of policy and regulations, Christo Ferreira, insists he has not received anything of the sort – but explained that manager of national teams Andy Marinos may be in possession of the document. Marinos asked to be contacted later on Tuesday, but would neither confirm or deny having received the contract.

“If the two parties are looking for mediation on the matter, the IRB usually deals with that. But Saru may intervene if they are requested to [by the IRB] although that hasn’t been the case to date,” Ferreira told keo.co.za.

Botha’s agent, Bernie Habana, failed to respond to questions around where the process stood, while Bulls CEO Barend van Graan was vehemently opposed to discussing the matter. “Please don’t ask me about Bakkies. I’m not talking about that. No comment,” Van Graan barked.

As it stands both the Bulls and Toulon have a contract with Botha, and Toulon will feel they have a watertight case should they opt to take legal action. The Bulls won’t relent on their position that the player has committed to them for the next four years, so the battle could get even messier in the coming weeks.

How Botha got himself into this situation is perplexing. He has no escape clause in his Bulls contract. In fact, he requested a long-term contract from the Bulls so that he would have financial security. Yet he, or his agent acting on his behalf, felt it appropriate to sign a legally bonding document with Toulon and he now finds himself in the middle of a brutal battle.

By Ryan Vrede


441 Comments

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  • 251.Tripple E: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 13:54 pm

    Zanu-PF predicts MDC win
    01/04/2008 12:57 – (SA)

    Harare – A projection by Zimbabwe’s ruling party shows opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai will beat President Robert Mugabe in the country’s election but a runoff will be needed, ZANU-PF party sources say.

    Two senior sources who asked not to be named said projections showed Tsvangirai getting 48.3%, against Mugabe’s 43%, with third candidate Simba Makoni taking eight percent. For an outright victory, a candidate must get 51%.

    “What this means is that we are looking at a re-run because he did not win with a margin of over 51% that would have given him the job straight away,” one of the sources said.

  • 252.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 13:54 pm

    rangerman 245#
    MDC pulling ahead?
    Sorry, I was out for a while

  • 253.4man: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 13:54 pm

    #238 Cane

    Correct the “mooted” 5th S 14 (15) side.

  • 254.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 13:57 pm

    ja, its also been posted above by the lady tripple. following on news24.

  • 255.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 13:58 pm

    Ranger
    Yes, I saw Tripples’ afterwards.
    What does ‘MDC’ stand for, anyone?

  • 256.Greenfever: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 13:59 pm

    244. We are not talking about the crime rate in SA. This is a fact I will not argue. It is shocking. But feel free to use it to back up your dumb *** comment. It was expected.

    We are talking rugby and players, one whom you continually attack, yet fail to acknowledge your own thugs. Even McCaw had a go at Collins stiff arm….been doing it for years was is what I heard him say. Citing any one? Imagine if that was JP Nel. I don’t think Sivi is a dirty player….he sure isn’t an angel though.

  • 257.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 13:59 pm

    I don’t trust this re-run manipulation opportunity for Mugabe…..

    Mugabe is rigging the current polls to indicate a less than 51% majority for the MDC….

  • 258.skunk: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 13:59 pm

    G13G

    Zuma is not a Mugabe fan. Him Vavi and Nzimande have been trying to oust Mugabe for a while now.

    Mbeki is a Mugabe fan.

    Ps

    All of those people saying we should get involved in solving Zim issues think back our own past. We solved our own problems, as difficult as it was we did it and no one can take that away from us. Lets let Zim have the same joys at the end of all of this.

    Where the hell is I.G when you need him

  • 259.Tripple E: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:00 pm

    Rangerman I don’t know if I understand it correctly but apparently Simba said that should he lose he would hand his votes to the MDC which will then entitle them to a victory?

  • 260.Snoek: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:00 pm

    Movement for Democratic Change – MDC

  • 261.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:00 pm

    MDC = Movement for Democratic Change

  • 262.4man: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:00 pm

    #255 Pietman

    MDC : Movement for Democratic Change

  • 263.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:00 pm

    movement for democratic change piet!

  • 264.Tripple E: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:01 pm

    Were you fooled?
    01/04/2008 13:18 – (SA)

    Cape Town – News24 celebrated April Fool’s Day by publishing three fictitious stories on the site.

    They were the following:

    # Eskom ban on peak-hour TV

    # Medical aid hits mums-to-be

    # SA passports could fall away

    Sport24 published the following stories as well:
    # Gibbs banned for life

    # Shock Super 14 quota ruling

    # Jake to replace Ludeke?

    # Beijing Olympics cancelled

  • 265.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:02 pm

    Report just in from CCN.
    People on the street say they don’t understand why the Zim results were out within a day at the last election….

  • 266.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:04 pm

    Ok, ok ok…..I get the message boys!
    Lol!
    Sorry I asked.

  • 267.cane: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:05 pm

    Cane you *******, !

    Comment by Snoek :

    Now, now Snoek, don’t get carried away. Nowhere did I resort to name calling of contributors on here, (except in the case of Whatdafuker).

    So in “your” world ,I am an Arsehole for holding an opinion………….And in “My” world, some posters on here are equally aresholes.(I only said “some” folks).

    Here’s a little tip…..when you post on the WWW the World reads it. Expect a response. That’s normal, I would have thought.

  • 268.Tripple E: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:05 pm

    Bok backs set to dazzle

    01/04/2008 09:26

    Chris Hewitt

    Springbok coach Peter de Villiers’s judgment has proven reassuringly accurate thus far.

    He opted to retain John Smit as captain, recognised the importance of the continued involvement in the squad of Victor Matfield, and it is reliably learnt is seriously considering roping in Percy Montgomery to tutor the next generation of Bok backline stars coming through.

    Even his statement that three South African teams would make the semi-finals, mocked by many, isn’t proving the most unconsidered utterance.

    Both the Sharks and the Stormers look set for the semis, whilst De Villiers could be forgiven for underestimating the destructive effect Frans Ludeke would bring to the Bulls.

    It is therefore not hard to believe the whispers that De Villiers’s first-choice back-three is shaping up as Conrad Jantjes at fullback, with Bryan Habana and Tonderai Chavhanga on either wing.

  • 269.KWAGGA ROBERTSE: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:05 pm

    MDC is the note you recieve if you park in disabled parking………….

    Move Da Car………

  • 270.Isigidi: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:07 pm

    Snoek jou grapgat!

    Hallo Piet, Pajamapak Robbertse, EEE, Ranger, GBS & kie.

    Hoe hang die balle?

    Bakkies kon sekerlik nie so stupid gewees het nie. Die verloorder gaan Bakkies geld kos wees verseker. Ek hoop vir Bakkies se part dis nie Toulon nie.
    Die Mourad Boudjellal mannetjie lyk my nie ken nee vir ‘n antwoord nie.

  • 271.Tripple E: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:07 pm

    Imagine net Habana on the left wing and Chavanga on the right!!!!! Blooooody Aaaaaaaaaaawesome I’d say!!!!!!

  • 272.Snoek: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:07 pm

    So Cane, no response about your sister beating you – “*******”

  • 273.Tripple E: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:09 pm

    269 Kwaggatjie ek sien jy is weer op jou stukke vandag!!!! hehehe

    Weer jou Pro_nutro gesnuif en weetbix gerook?

    Hi daar Isi

  • 274.KWAGGA ROBERTSE: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:09 pm

    #272 Might be his wife now……..Strange world we live in…. ;)

  • 275.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:09 pm

    Hello Isi
    Wat werk jy so kwaai, jy het mos al genoeg geld?
    Of is dit al die cherries se kar-herstel wat jou so baie kos……hehehehehe!
    Jy wil mos, hoes pappie…

  • 276.Snoek: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:10 pm

    Cane – Sorry, if i can’t call you a *******, i will call you a “smelly freckle”

  • 277.Isigidi: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:11 pm

    Verkeerd Kwagga, dis afrikaans en ‘n rugby terme wat mense in Boksburg skree langs die veld met club games….

    Moer Die Cont!!!!!!!

  • 278.KWAGGA ROBERTSE: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:11 pm

    Hallo Isi ou vriend. Balle hang pragtig vandag!!

    3E nee wat net so bietjie chirpy….hehehehe

  • 279.asha1: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:11 pm

    rangerman @ 245
    we (in our family) felt the hurt of having our property taken away and given to another. because of this we have decided NOT to ask for that property to be returned to us:
    1. because its history, and it should stay there
    2. i’ve had the honour of being invited to have a look at the farm. i (for one) know that the farm was not in that condition (i’ve seen it in) when it was taken away from my grandfather. years of hard work have gone into that in which may family took no part.
    3. the farm was not that big when it was taken away. again hard work, good planning of which my family had no part.

  • 280.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:11 pm

    Why is everyone on my buddy Cane’s case?
    Did I miss something?

  • 281.Isigidi: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:13 pm

    Pietman

    Nog nie genoeg nie Piet.

    EK HET ‘N EX!!!!!!!!! FFS

  • 282.AB - Join RUGBY SUPPORTERS VOICE: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:13 pm

    Pietman
    I was going to ask the same question!

  • 283.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:14 pm

    277# Isi!!!!!
    Ja, net in Boksburg, ek se!

  • 284.Tripple E: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:14 pm

    280 ek dink hy maak dit net te maklik, soort van ‘n soft target hehehehe

  • 285.Snoek: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:15 pm

    Ekskuus Pietman

    Cane “Whadafuk” al die hele thread deur, besluit om hom so ‘n bietjie kak te buit!

  • 286.Tripple E: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:17 pm

    Pietman dink nie dit word maliciously bedoel nie en sien dat hy darrem goed vir homself kan opstaan, sorry man

  • 287.KWAGGA ROBERTSE: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:17 pm

    Pietta dis n geval van “As jy jou wil uitgee as n toffie moet jy bereid wees om gekou te word”

  • 288.Steyn The Disgusted Bull: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:19 pm

    Hoekom se almal vir Pieta sorry??

    Die man is n AAP man….hehehehe!!!

    Hello mense………hoe gaan dit vandag?

  • 289.ruck: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:19 pm

    Hello all. Its ****** hot here today – HELL…(like being stuck in a lift with Jp and Wyand for hours…)

    WHATS UP?

    Who is being nasty to Cane? I will not tolerate that…

  • 290.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:20 pm

    Oh thaaaaat?
    For a moment there I thought Cane pissed all of you off because he slagged old Bob Mugabe.

  • 291.cane: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:20 pm

    Cane – Sorry, if i can’t call you a *******, i will call you a “smelly freckle”

    Comment by Snoek

    Now Snoeky, you are showing promise.

  • 292.Isigidi: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:21 pm

    Jaaaa Kwagga!

    Het mos my eerste vrou as gevolg van siekte verloor.

    Sy was siek en sat vir my kuk, toe los sy my.

    Nie ‘n great loss so moenie worry, sy kon in elk geval nooit die losgemaal reël onder die knie kry nie!

  • 293.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:21 pm

    Ek was gisteraand vir meer as ‘n uur en ‘n half by die Plaaslike Polisie Aanklagkantoor……

    Hehehehe

    Ek weet wat julle dink, maar dissie so nie….

    Anyway, ek was net daar om ‘n ou motorongelukkie te gaan aanmeld…..

    Verlede Vrydag terwyl ek in Boksburg was (net voor ek vir Handbriekie be die Lughawe moes gaan optel) het ‘n jong donnertjie agter in handbriekie se kar vasgejaag terwyl ek bestuur…

    Ek moes eintlik die ongeluk binne 24 uur aangemeld het….. maar was mos woes besig hierdie naweek…. hel daar was rugby aan man…. eishhhhh

    Dit vat die dom drol agter die toonbank 90 minute om die Ongeluksverslaggie op te stel… toe het die donner nog die vermetelheid om my vir ‘n job te vra ook….

  • 294.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:22 pm

    Dankie Steyna.
    Pietman is n AAP…jy is n ander pel, ek se.
    Nou is ek bly jou sigarette is gesteel!

  • 295.Tripple E: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:22 pm

    Hi Ruckles and Steyntjie!!!!!

    291…Bwaahhahahahahaa, although “smelly freckle” sounds good to me!!!

  • 296.Steyn The Disgusted Bull: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:24 pm

    hehehehe Piet!!!

    Moet nou nie so wees nie man..

    Ek is seker daai bliksem rook lekker aan daai goed.

    Glo ook dit is gesteel!!

  • 297.ruck: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:24 pm

    #290 – BOB ****** MUGABE MUST BE SHOT. May I say this here?

  • 298.Isigidi: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:25 pm

    Hoooooowzit Ruck.

    Been to the Ruggas?

    How did it feel this morning waking up in the rugby mecca of SA, WP, Stormers, Maties, Ikeys, u19, u21, Paul Roos, Paarl Gim, Boland landbou, Boyshigh…..the list goes on and on.

  • 299.Steyn The Disgusted Bull: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:25 pm

    Hello EEE,

    Hoe lyk dinge daar by jou??

  • 300.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    1 Apr 2008, 14:25 pm

    Steyn
    Nee man, ek is baie teleurgesteld.
    Na al die moeite en koste sit jy steeds met niks.
    Sal my leer om volgende keer die wors te vergeet en die skywe in te pak!

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