Botha gets six-month Munster deal

Munster’s plans for next season have taken further shape after the IRFU approved its bid to re-sign former Springbok tighthead prop BJ Botha.

Botha and fellow front-rowers Niall Scannell and Kevin O’Byrne all signed contract extensions with the province, with the veteran South African penning a six-month deal that will see him through the autumn World Cup to next December. Scannell, 24, signed a two-year full contract, while fellow hooker O’Byrne, 23, signed a one-year development contract having joined the province from UL Bohs this season.

These will be seen as important signings given the injury-enforced retirement of Damien Varley last month and Mike Sherry’s season-and-a half long absence.

Botha, 35, moved to Munster from Ulster in the summer of 2011 having won 25 caps for the Boks and been a member of their 2007 World Cup-winning squad. Last Saturday’s appearance in the Pro12 defeat at Ospreys was his 93rd for the province and head coach Anthony Foley said: “BJ’s contract is up at the end of this season but, after working closely with the IRFU, we have thankfully secured the services of a player of his calibre for a further six months.

“He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the scrum and front row and it is a huge boost to the squad to have him available during the World Cup window when our squad numbers will be reduced.”

There was also one exit confirmed yesterday with prop Alan Cotter set to leave in June for French Federale 1 side Le Parc Pays D’Aix.