MOVING ABROAD HADN’T crossed BJ Botha’s mind before the offer from Ulster arrived in 2008. Life was good in South Africa. Botha was a key man for the Sharks, which had been his dream growing up in Durban.
The tighthead prop was a regular with the Springboks too, earning a World Cup medal with them in 2007. The British and Irish Lions were coming to South Africa in 2009 and Botha was happy where he was. His agent spoke to him about striking when the iron was hot and going overseas but initially, Botha didn’t want to know anything about it.
Ulster’s three-year offer turned his head. He and his wife, Taryn, faced a huge decision. Stay where they were so happy or take on a new adventure in Ireland.
Having thought long and hard, they decided to take up Ulster’s offer. “I promised my mother-in-law we’d be back in three years but the rest is history,” says Botha. 16 years later, they’re still living in Ireland, albeit with a stint in France and a spell back in South Africa during Covid thrown in there.
Limerick is home now. Botha is the head coach of All-Ireland League side UL Bohemians and also the head coach of Glenstal Abbey’s senior cup team. All five of Botha’s children were born in Ireland.
Ava is 15, Owen is 13, Sydney is 10, Lexi is seven, and Boden is four. “They have the option of telling people they’re Irish or South African,” says Botha with a laugh. “They all have an Irish twang when they talk.
” Botha became an Irish citizen in 2016 after.
