Botha warning over Italy clash

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

England secured a 13-6 win at Murrayfield but Botha knows that will count for little if they slip up in the Stadio Olimpico.

Botha said: "It will be a big battle. Italy are one of the sides which has made massive strides over the past few years. They are not a wooden-spoon team any more. At home in their new stadium they will be up for the challenge with 70,000 fans behind them."

The games and the stadia keep getting bigger for Botha, who moved from South Africa to England in October 2004 after National League Three club Bedford Athletic were the only one of 20 clubs to answer his letter.

Botha moved on to the Bedford Blues in 2006 and then, in 2010, saw a message on Facebook that Saracens were looking to bolster their second-row options.

The interview panel was daunting - director of rugby Brendan Venter and Morne du Plessis, the former South Africa international and manager of the 1995 World Cup-winning Springboks.

Botha's hunger impressed Du Plessis, who immediately recommended Saracens sign the former carpet washer and asbestos stripper despite having never seen him play.

When Saracens chief executive Edward Griffiths rang to offer Botha the deal, he had not even left the car park.

"Brendan Venter was at the meeting with Morne du Plessis," Botha said. "I said 'today is the biggest day of my life and career and to be sitting here so close to actually achieving (a move to the Premiership) is a massive opportunity and one I really want'.

"I later found out that when I left the room Brendan Venter turned to Morne du Plessis and asked him what he thought. He said he didn't know much of my rugby and hadn't seen any videos but he would sign me because I wanted it so much. That is what swayed them, the fact that I had such a hunger to be successful at that level."