Ettienne Botha (8 April 1979 – 7 September 2005) was a South African professional rugby union player.[1]

Ettienne Botha
Date of birth(1979-04-08)8 April 1979
Place of birthGermiston, South Africa
Date of death7 September 2005(2005-09-07) (aged 27)
Place of deathPretoria, South Africa
Height179 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight89 kg (196 lb)
SchoolHoërskool John Vorster
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
Falcons ()
- Blue Bulls ()
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2002–05 Bulls ()

Biography

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Born in Germiston, Botha was a loose forward during his primary school years, before moving to centre in grade 10 at Hoërskool John Vorster, from where he earned SA Schools representative selection.[2]

Botha proved to be a reliable Currie Cup try-scorer, playing initially with the Falcons, then the Blue Bulls from the 2002 season. He won three Currie Cup titles with the Blue Bulls and scored a competition high 18 tries in their successful 2004 campaign, including two in the final win over the Cheetahs.[3] This earned him the team's "2004 player of the year" award and made him a serious contender for Springboks honours.[4][5]

On the morning of 7 September 2005, Botha died at the scene of a car accident near the Botha Avenue offramp on the N1 in Pretoria. He had lost control of his Audi and struck a barrier, causing the vehicle to overturn.[6][7]

References

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  1. ^ "Blue Bulls cry for Ettienne". News24. 12 September 2005.
  2. ^ Hoffmann, Colin (4 October 2001). "Ettiene Botha comes of age". News24.
  3. ^ "Super 12 player dies in car crash". BBC News. 7 September 2005.
  4. ^ Carstens, Sonja (26 November 2006). "What killed Ettienne Botha". News24.
  5. ^ "Late Bulls vice-captain faced the axe". The Mail & Guardian. 7 September 2005.
  6. ^ Louw, Anna (8 September 2005). "Shock and grief at rugby hero's death". Independent Online.
  7. ^ "How rugby star Botha spent his last hours". Independent Online. 8 September 2005.