Introduction
Arnoldus Francois Botha (born 26 October 1991) is a South African rugby union footballer. He can operate either as a flanker or number eight.
Career
School career
Botha began primary school at Laerskool Messina before moving to Nylstroom. He was captain of the rugby first team of Hoërskool Nylstroom for 2 years and he represented Limpopo at the Craven Week competitions in 2008 and 2009.
Blue Bulls
He represents the Bulls in Super Rugby and the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup. In 2013, he signed a contract extension to keep him at the Blue Bulls until 2016.
Ulster
In January 2017, Irish Pro12 side Ulster announced the signing of Botha on a two-year contract.
Representative rugby
He was captain of the South Africa Under 20 team that competed in the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship in Italy and was also named South Africa Under 20 player of the year.
Botha made his debut for the Springboks against Italy on 8 June 2013 at Kings Park Stadium in Durban as the No. 7 flank. In his second test against Scotland on 15 June 2013 in Nelspruit, Botha left the field after four minutes of play, having ruptured ligaments in his left knee.
South Africa 'A'
In 2016, Botha was included in a South Africa 'A' squad that played a two-match series against a touring England Saxons team. He didn't play in their first match in Bloemfontein, but started the second match of the series, a 26–29 defeat in George.