We can get better - Botes
Posted Tue, 11 Mar 2008
He has been one of the stalwarts for the Sharks so far this season, yet Jacques Botes seems content with staying out of the limelight and doing what he does best — terrorising the opposition.
The Sharks are currently occupying second spot in the standings, and are one of only two unbeaten teams in the competition.
One reason for the Sharks success has been the form of Botes, who has been instrumental in all four of their victories to date.
He told Rugby365 that the win over the high-flying Blues last weekend was a big boost to their season.
"The win was very important to our campaign," Botes emphasised.
Botes was keen to heap praise on his fellow loose forwards, Ryan Kankowski and Keegan Daniel, despite being hugely influential himself in restricting the Blues' dangerous runners.
"Our combination worked well and it’s great playing with such talented individuals like Keegs [Keegan Daniel] & Ryan [Kankowski]," he said.
When asked about his impressive current form, Botes said that the positive environment within the Sharks camp has helped his own form, but added that the Sharks are nowhere near where they want to be in terms of their performance.
"The start has been good from the team's side and it’s really helps you as an individual.
"Having said that both the team and myself have got a lot of room for improvement.
"If we can build from this platform it will be great," added the flank.
The loose trio of Botes, Daniel and Kankowski are one of the quickest in the competition.
The Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) have speeded up the game, thereby placing a greater emphasis on fitness and speed — two characteristics that Botes has in abundance.
"I'm happy and I'm enjoying it because it definitely suits speed and fitness.
We are sill getting use to it though," emphasised Botes.
The Sharks have the difficult prospect of travelling to Ellis Park to face the Lions on Saturday.
They will be firm favourites to extent their winning streak but derbies have an uncanny ability of springing a surprise.
Botes and the Sharks are all too away of this.
"That's spot on!
"It will definitely be tough.
"Our preparation has been going well so far.
"There are a couple of bruised bodies after the Blues game but the vibe in the squad is great," he added.
The Sharks have found their try scoring touch after a slow start — seven tries in their last two games bearing testament to this.
The firm Ellis Park pitch will provide the perfect base for the Sharks to unleash their dangerous outside backs, and Botes is relishing the opportunity of playing in favourable conditions.
"Ellis Park is a great stadium and it is conducive to some running rugby.
"Ideally that's the kind of game we would like to play," he added.
The Lions possess some quality loose forwards themselves in captain Ernst Joubert, Joe van Niekerk and Cobus Grobbelaar.
This makes for an intriguing battle between the two sets of loose forwards — a challenge Botes is looking forward to.
"Our team really rate the Lions loosies so it’s going to be a great challenge for us to face as a loose trio," he said.
The Sharks have a bye over the Easter Weekend so a win on Saturday will put them in a very strong position heading towards the half-way stage in the competition.
They then face the Reds in Durban, a game they should win looking at the Reds abysmal form, before heading overseas for a challenging five match tour in which they will cross the Tasman Sea twice.
Botes said that two more wins before they tour will be a big boost for the Durban-based franchise.
"As the competition goes on the games become even more important no matter who you play.
"A couple of wins will be great and it will put us in a really good position before the tour.
"We're quite fortunate to have our bye on the Easter Weekend and it’s also just a week before we leave for abroad," he went on to say.
Botes has been one of the Sharks standout's over the last few seasons, with many tipping him as a future Springbok.
"I've enjoyed the last couple of seasons with the Sharks tremendously.
"I'm blessed to be part of such a great setup.
"A Bok callup is definitely in the back of my mind and hopefully the opportunity presents itself." he added.
If he continues his current form it will be hard for the Bok coach to ignore the exploits of the tearaway flank.
365
