24 Nov 2014

Twitter abuzz with Bakkies love

Cape Town - Social media has been abuzz with tributes to Springbok lock Bakkies Botha who called time on his international career following the Boks' win over Italy in Padova on Saturday.

GALLERY: Bakkies Botha's career in pictures

John Philip "Bakkies" Botha, was born on September 22, 1979 in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal.

He will continue to play for his French Top 14 club Toulon and has even left the door open for a possible return to South Africa and the Currie Cup - surely with the Blue Bulls...

Botha retired with 85 Springboks caps to his name - the seventh highest all-time - as well as 95 Super Rugby matches for his beloved Bulls.

With the Blue Bulls he won the Vodacom Cup in 2001 as well as three Currie Cup titles - 2002, 2004 and 2009.

In Super Rugby, Botha was part of the Bulls' team which became the first South African team to lift the trophy in 2007, and then again in 2009 and 2010.

For the Springboks, Botha won the Rugby World Cup in 2007, the Tri-Nations in 2004 and 2009 as well as a British and Irish Lions Series in 2009.

Botha has also picked up the Mandela Challenge Plate in 2005 and 2009 against the Wallabies and the Freedom Cup against the All Blacks in 2004 and 2009.

For Toulon, Botha won the Heineken Cup back-to-back in 2013 and 2014 as well as scooping the Top 14 League in 2014.

Blessings. Out

Bakkies Botha LEGEND of the game!!! As a springbok team and nation we salute you on an incredible career! Its been an Honor to know you.
— JP Pietersen (@jppietersen14) November 24, 2014

A nod to now retired @bokrugby hard man @BakkiesBotha4, who has now hung up his formidable boots #TeamAllBlacks pic.twitter.com/Cq5R5D6iMV
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 23, 2014

Bakkies Botha...Do i need to say more about this legend of the game #respect http://t.co/H7wunO1k1w
— Willie le roux (@wjjleroux) November 23, 2014

Tonight SA rugby is saying goodbye to a legend!!!bakkies_botha http://t.co/0mzSxdfEKI
— Morne Steyn (@mornesteyn) November 22, 2014

If it's true @BakkiesBotha4 may I just say you will always remain a legend, congrats on an amazing career big man it was a privilege.
— John Smit (@JohnSmit123) November 22, 2014

I shed a few tears tonight!! Thanks for the memories, the friendship and becoming a true Bok legend @BakkiesBotha4 pic.twitter.com/I6OYT97mdP
— Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana) November 22, 2014

Lets go do it for my Combo @BakkiesBotha4 what a legend. Going to mis you this last few games. Great words spoken with jersey presentation
— Victor Matfield (@VictorMatfield) November 22, 2014

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