Bakkies finally back in action

Bakkies Botha, it seems, will be back in action on the rugby field this weekend, this time in the red and black of Toulon when they go across to the Atlantic to play Biarritz in France's Top 14. The big lock has been included in his new club's squad.

Botha, the powerful lock, is 32 and has been much troubled by an Achilles injury but before the World Cup he signed a three-year contract with Toulon.

The Springbok veteran was unable to complete the World Cup because of injury but went off to Toulon who had hopes that he would be able to play.

Those hopes now seem to be a reality. Finally.

Also back from injury is fellow Bok Joe van Niekerk in a side with a strong international flavour that includes All Black Carl Hayman, Steffon Armitage, Dean Schofield, Simon Shaw and Jonny Wilkinson of England, Jone Tawake, Matt Giteau and Matt Henjak of Australia, Davit Kubriashvili of Georgia, Christian Loamanu, the Tongan who played for Japan, Eifion Lewis-Roberts of Wales, Leonardo Senatore of Argentina and Gabriele Lovobalavu of Fiji.

The Toulon squad: Steffon Armitage, Bakkies Botha, Sébastien Bruno, Kristian Chesney, Laurent Emmanuelli, Pierrick Gunther, Carl Hayman, Davit Kubriashvili, Eifion Lewis-Roberts, Christophe Samson, Dean Schofield, Leonardo Senatore, Simon Shaw, Jone Tawake, Joe van Niekerk, Mathieu Bastareaud, Fabien Cibray, Matt Giteau, Matt Henjak, Benjamin Lapeyre, Christian Loamanu, Gabriele Lovobalavu, Geoffroy Messina, David Smith, Jonny Wilkinson.