Darius Botha

Daniël Sarel 'Darius' Botha (26 June 1955 – 12 February 2018) was a South African rugby union player.[1]

Darius Botha

Birth name	Daniël Sarel Botha
Date of birth	26 June 1955
Place of birth	Breyten, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Date of death	12 February 2018(2018-02-12) (aged 62)
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	93 kg (205 lb)
School	Hendrik Verwoerd High School, Pretoria
University	University of Pretoria, University of Stellenbosch
Notable relative(s)	Naas Botha (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1976–1981 Northern Transvaal 61 () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1981 South Africa 1

Playing career

Botha played for the Northern Transvaal under–20 side in 1974 to 1975 and made his debut for the Northern Transvaal senior side in 1976. He and his younger brother Naas, played for Northern Transvaal in five Currie Cup finals from 1977 to 1981. In four of those five years, 1977, 1978, 1980 and 1981 Northern Transvaal won the Currie Cup and in 1979 they shared it with Western Province.

Botha played in only one test match for the Springboks, being the first test on the 1981 tour to New Zealand at Lancaster Park, Christchurch. He also played in seven tour matches for the Springboks, scoring three tries.[2]

Test history

No.	Opposition	Result (SA 1st)	Position	Points	Date	Venue
1.	New Zealand	9–14	Wing		15 August 1981	Lancaster Park, Christchurch

Death

Botha was first diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2014. After an operation the cancer went into remission, but unfortunately in November 2017, the cancer returned and Botha died on 12 February 2018.[3]

See also

• List of South Africa national rugby union players – Springbok no. 522

References

1. "Darius Botha". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
2. Jooste, Graham K. (1995). South African rugby test players 1949-1995. Johannesburg: Penguin. p. 109. ISBN 0140250174. OCLC 36916860.
3. "Naas Botha's brother dies of cancer". Sport. 2018-02-13. Retrieved 2019-10-11.