REAL RUGBY STATS

Springbok no. 502 · Flyhalf

Naas Botha

Hendrik Egnatius Botha · Blue Bulls

28Tests
2Tries
3Tours
22Age at debut

Test career

198019861992

First test

26 Apr 1980, age 22 · Flyhalf v South America, Wanderers, Johannesburg

Last test

14 Nov 1992, age 34 · Flyhalf v England, Twickenham, London

Biography

Naas Botha was one of the greatest match-winning flyhalves in Springbok history, famous for his kicking. Born in Breyten on 27 February 1958, he played for Northern Transvaal and scored 312 points in 28 Tests between 1980 and 1992.

He dropped three goals against South America in 1980 and three more against Ireland in 1981, and kicked a famous touchline conversion to win the third Test against the 1980 British Isles side. He captained South Africa nine times, including on the return to Test rugby in 1992. He later became a well-known television commentator.

Test history

28 tests · 9 as captain · 312 points
DateOpponentVenuePositionResultProvince
26 Apr 1980South AmericaWanderers, JohannesburgFlyhalfW 24–9Blue Bulls
03 May 1980South AmericaKings Park, DurbanFlyhalfW 18–9Blue Bulls
31 May 1980BritainNewlands, Cape TownFlyhalfW 26–22Blue Bulls
14 Jun 1980BritainFree State Stadium, BloemfonteinFlyhalfW 26–19Blue Bulls
28 Jun 1980BritainBoet Erasmus, Port ElizabethFlyhalfW 12–10Blue Bulls
12 Jul 1980BritainLoftus Versfeld, PretoriaFlyhalfL 13–17Blue Bulls
18 Oct 1980South AmericaWanderers Club, MontevideoFlyhalfW 22–13Blue Bulls
25 Oct 1980South AmericaPrince of Wales Country Club, SantiagoFlyhalfW 30–16Blue Bulls
08 Nov 1980FranceLoftus Versfeld, PretoriaFlyhalfW 37–15Blue Bulls
30 May 1981IrelandNewlands, Cape TownFlyhalfW 23–15Blue Bulls
06 Jun 1981IrelandKings Park, DurbanFlyhalfW 12–10Blue Bulls
15 Aug 1981New ZealandLancaster Park (Jade stadium), ChristchurchFlyhalfL 9–14Blue Bulls
29 Aug 1981New ZealandAthletic Park, WellingtonFlyhalfW 24–12Blue Bulls
12 Sep 1981New ZealandEden Park, AucklandFlyhalfL 22–25Blue Bulls
25 Sep 1981USAOwl Creek Polo ground, Glenville, NYFlyhalfW 38–7Blue Bulls
27 Mar 1982South AmericaLoftus Versfeld, PretoriaFlyhalfW 50–18Blue Bulls
03 Apr 1982South AmericaFree State Stadium, BloemfonteinFlyhalfL 12–21Blue Bulls
10 May 1986NZ CavaliersNewlands, Cape TownFlyhalf (C)W 21–15Blue Bulls
17 May 1986NZ CavaliersKings Park, DurbanFlyhalf (C)L 18–19Blue Bulls
24 May 1986NZ CavaliersLoftus Versfeld, PretoriaFlyhalf (C)W 33–18Blue Bulls
31 May 1986NZ CavaliersEllis Park, JohannesburgFlyhalf (C)W 24–10Blue Bulls
26 Aug 1989World InvitationNewlands, Cape TownFlyhalfW 20–19Blue Bulls
02 Sep 1989World InvitationEllis Park, JohannesburgFlyhalfW 22–16Blue Bulls
15 Aug 1992New ZealandEllis Park, JohannesburgFlyhalf (C)L 24–27Blue Bulls
22 Aug 1992AustraliaNewlands, Cape TownFlyhalf (C)L 3–26Blue Bulls
17 Oct 1992FranceStade de Gerland, LyonFlyhalf (C)W 20–15Blue Bulls
24 Oct 1992FranceParc des Princes, ParisFlyhalf (C)L 16–29Blue Bulls
14 Nov 1992EnglandTwickenham, LondonFlyhalf (C)L 16–33Blue Bulls