One-on-one with ER United captain Jonathan Botha

The Advertiser asked:

How do you, as captain, keep yourself and the team motivated?

It all starts at practise. Practising hard and motivating the team at practise; the players are always positive, so they keep me motivated – it’s a give-and-take relationship at the club.

Sasolburg destroyed you at scrum time – what was going through your mind during the scrums?

I am a positive player, so I was trying to motivate and support my forward pack to help secure our ball and take some pressure off the halfback (scrumhalf).

The team has been in fine form, winning games in style and playing some exciting running rugby, is this the brand of rugby your coach, Derrick Sampson, believes will take the team forward?

Yes, coach Derrick believes in running rugby.

What would you consider as success come the end of the season?

Playing in the final and winning it.

How important is the relationship between yourself and Derrick for the team going forward?

It is of utmost importance that myself and Derrick’s relationship is perfect, so that we can communicate and keep leading the club and team forward in good style.

What are your biggest challenges as captain?

Making the right choices when needed, to ensure that my team is on the front foot at all times.

How long have you been captain for ER United?

This is only my first year.

Have you always been a blindside flank?

I played blindside flank for a very long time; when I was in matric I was moved to hooker, and my preferred position has become hooker. I player flanker for ERU, but mostly hooker; depends on who we are playing.

When did you start playing the game?

I started playing rugby from Grade Two, for the Rooi Valkies at Laerskool Van Dyk.

What does being a rugby player mean to you on a personal level?

Well, as they say rugby is not just a sport, it’s a way of life. Being a rugby player is not just arriving on game day and playing, it’s about living it, it’s about supporting your teammates when the going gets tough; it’s about helping out your teammate. Being a player motivates me in everyday life to do things extraordinarily and going out to enjoy it.

What would you say have been the most memorable moments in your rugby career?

Winning the Classic Clash in 2012 with Oosterlig [Hoërskool] against Elspark’s first team, I scored the winning try and was captain – we beat the first team from Elspark, coached by Derrick.

Winning the Valke League with Oosterlig as captain of the first team.

Which university/college did you attend?

Tshwane University of Technology, where I also played for the Vikings.

What do you do when you’re not playing rugby?

I work for my father, who has his own electrical company. I also coach u-9 rugby at Laerskool Van Dyk.

Which local team do you support and why?

The Bulls, I’ve supported them for as long as I can remember.

Who’s your favourite Springbok player and why?

Duane Vermeulen. I think he leads by example and he plays exceptional rugby. He is a very physical player and that’s why he’s my favourite player.

There’s always that joker in every team, who’s the joker in the East Rand United camp?

Reagan Fourie (Chawe).

How do you think the Boks will do in the World Cup?

If the team selection is good, I think we will be one of the favourites leading to the World Cup. And, if all goes well, we’re most likely to play in the final. – @SabeloBoksburg