Botha back after ban

SOUTH AFRICA bad-boy Bakkies Botha has been named in the Springboks side to face Uruguay in their opening World Cup match on Saturday as skipper Corne Krige was rested.

Botha will play his first match since returning from an eight-week ban imposed for skullduggery during a spiteful Tri Nations match against Australia in August.

The uncompromising lock forward was picked by coach Rudolf Straueli yesterday to partner Victor Matfield in the second row at the Subiaco Oval as the Springboks prepare for their Pool C crunch against England Second row Botha was disciplined amid furious allegations from the Wallaby camp of foul play during the Springboks’ 29-9 defeat in Brisbane.