Naas Botha: Why we moved to America!
Legendary former Springbok flyhalf Naas Botha has explained why he and his family have emigrated to the United States.
Naas Botha is widely regarded as one of the greatest flyhalves to ever don the No 10 jersey for the Springboks and Northern Transvaal (Blue Bulls), and not that long ago the 68-year-old was still a familiar face on SuperSport as a rugby analyst.
However, Botha recently dropped off the radar, and it has since come to light that he has stepped back from his role as Director of Rugby at Hoërskool Eldoraigne after relocating to the United States.
Naas Botha moved abroad for family reason
Naas and his wife Karen Botha (a former Olympic athlete) have settled in Kansas where two of their three daughters, Gaeby and Lee-Gre, are attending university there on soccer scholarships.
The move is a family-driven decision and in a statement to Maroela Media, Botha said South Africa would always hold a special place in their hearts.
“In short, the move is about family and the opportunities that lie ahead for us,” he commented.
“As everyone knows, years ago I had the opportunity to play NFL football in the USA for the Dallas Cowboys, and Karen was here on a sports scholarship at the University of Nebraska.
“Those experiences were meaningful chapters in our lives, and now our children have found their own opportunities here.
“This move is simply a continuation of that journey and is in the best interest of our family.”
A legend of South African rugby
It’s a full-circle moment for Botha – after his brief 1983 stint with the Dallas Cowboys – but he will always remain a household name in South Africa.
His playing career included 28 appearances as a flyhalf for the Springboks, in which he scored 312 points as he became renowned as the game’s greatest goal kicker.
On the provincial stage, Botha donned the Northern Transvaal (Blue Bulls) jersey in 179 matches, 128 of those as captain, amassing 2 511 points in the process.
“Being part of South African rugby – from the Springboks to Northern Transvaal (Blue Bulls) – has been one of the greatest honours of my life,” he added.
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