Bakkies extends Toulon stay

Springbok lock Bakkies Botha will see out his career in France after extending his contract at Toulon until June 2015.

The 33-year-old has impressed since he arrived at the Stade Mayol last December with the side soaring to the summit of the Top 14 standings.

Botha played for the Springboks at last year's World Cup in New Zealand, but he was not included in new coach Heyneke Meyer's touring squad for November's Test matches in Europe, although he was put on stand-by.

Botha’s heir apparent to the Springbok No.4 jersey Eben Etzebeth enjoyed a meteoric rise to Test rugby this season and was named the South African Rugby Union Young Player of the Year.

The 21-year-old’s physicality has drawn comparisons to the abrasive Botha, who played 76 Tests for the Springboks and holds the world record with fellow World Cup winner Victor Matfield for most Tests as a starting lock (62).