Bulls block Bakkies's exit
11/02/2008 12:43  - (SA)  

Rassie's new look Stormers Bulls must be mentally fit Injuries won't get Lions down

Pretoria - Bulls and Springbok lock Bakkies Botha's request to be released from his contract has been declined, and he will be available for the Bulls for the next four seasons.

Reports that Botha had applied to be released by the Bulls were confirmed by their commercial manager Ian Schwartz on Monday morning.

"We had no option but to decline his request," Schwartz said. "We have invested in him and his contract was last year renewed for a further five years. Releasing him would send a message to other players that contracts are not binding which in turn could conceivably lead to an exodus."

It had been reported that Botha would join his Springbok partner and Bulls captain Victor Matfield at Toulon in France. Hopes that the club would release Matfield to play in Super 14 have faded and the Bulls have accepted he is now lost to the franchise.

The news on Botha's ankle injury is that the chances are slim he will be in the side to play the Stormers in the Super 14 opener on Saturday.

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