It is not the kind of statement opponents want to hear coming from the South African camp, but veteran Springbok lock Bakkies Botha has promised to be more brutal than ever on the year-end tour to Wales, Scotland and England.

Botha, back after missing the latter half of the Tri-Nations campaign with a knee injury, sent a clear message to the Boks' opponents: "I want to go on this tour and make a big difference with my team-mates, so that they (the opposition) know the Bakkies Botha factor is present on the field.

"I just want to do some damage up front and that's the role I want to play and I'm looking forward to it."

Botha has been named for the three-Test trip to the United Kingdom after overcoming two serious injuries in the past 12 months.

He underwent surgery after injuring his ankle in the Springboks' encounter with Wales in Cardiff last November. Having finally worked his way back to full fitness in the latter stages of the Super 14 and then the first half of the Tri-Nations, Botha damaged his posterior knee ligaments in a Test against Argentina in August.

That setback ruled him out of the second half of the Tri-Nations tournament and the entire Currie Cup competition.

The family is together again

He expressed his frustration at having to watch from the sidelines when his Blue Bulls team-mates went down in the Currie Cup Final to the Sharks.

However, after the latter of the two lengthy breaks from play, Botha has a large amount of "pent-up energy" that he wants to get rid of on the rugby field.

"At the moment I feel good and I feel strong," Botha said when asked about his conditioning ahead of the tour.

"I am really looking forward to the tour.

"It feels great to have the (Bok) 'family' together again and we are really looking forward to the three Tests."

The 29-year-old second row forward said there are "a few things" they still want to get in place as a team, but described the three-week trip to the United Kingdom as a "great challenge".

"It is an opportunity to start preparing for the British & Irish Lions tour next year and to tackle three of the teams that will make up the British & Irish Lions next year is the ideal preparation," Botha said.

Ready to work

He admitted that he is not match fit yet, but said that in training he will give it a bit extra.

"After practice I will do some extra work just to get that edge," the 52-times capped lock said.

"At the end of the day, that which I can offer on the field, they (the coaching staff) will have to look and see how long can keep going.

"I certainly feel good and I am fit, but I am positive and I know it will go well."

He added that he hasn't been told yet whether he will start in the opening Test against Wales next week (Saturday, November 8) or come off the bench.

"However, if I get a chance to hurt (the opposition) up front, I will do it and I will do it 100 percent, because that is why I am here.

"I want to take the pack forward and ensure good ball for the backs, and be the enforcer for the team."

Frustration on the sidelines

He admitted to having "plenty" of pent-up energy after more than two months on the sidelines.

"The last few weeks and the [Currie Cup] Final, when I had to watch the Sharks and the Bulls, I just wanted to get out there and help the guys," Botha said.

"My wife even got frustrated with me, because she could see I was getting frustrated, but as I said, I feel good now and I hope that I can go out there and produce what I am capable of and raise the bar from where I was against Argentina ? to go out, better and stronger, for the team and make a real difference."

Botha added that he is motivated by the challenges laid down by other players ? such as Andries Bekker and Danie Rossouw ? who have worn the Bok and Bulls number four jerseys respectively during his absence.

"Andries (Bekker) is a good player and a good lock for the future," Botha said, adding that he sees a jersey he wants ? not the player in the jersey.

"I think players coming through, like Andries, just push you to new limits.

"In my career I always push myself to new heights and that is the good thing about rugby. These (other players) are all challenges. I'm still here (in the Bok team) and Andries, who is a good lock, is coming through. Danie Rossouw is also there, and there's a few other youngsters coming through as well.

"I must prove myself to ensure I retain the number four jersey. I must dictate up front and make a difference for the pack in taking them forward... that is my job."