05/03/2008 22:23

Retha Grobbelaar

Boksburg - Bakkies Botha acknowledges that he has had "an unbelievable offer" from a French rugby club but he says his "blood is still blue" and first prize will be to remain in South Africa.

This was just about all the Springbok lock forward was willing to say about rumours that he had been negotiating with Toulon when he was quest speaker at a breakfast function here on Wednesday.

The World Cup star, speaking at the EG Jansen High School event, said the reported negotiations were "a sensitive matter" and he did not want to say anything about it.

Rugby players had to think about their future once they hung up their boots, he added.

"But for now I'd rather concentrate on my job and on what I have to do on Friday," he said, referring to the Super 14 match against the Lions. "I don't want to worry about what should or will happen."

Botha assured Bulls supporters that the 2007 champions would get their campaign back on track after a disappointing start to the season.

"I'm very excited about the match on Friday night. It has been frustrating to be injured for so long and my fitness is not where it should be, but I'm looking forward to be doing what I love doing," he said.

Botha has been under the spotlight since last month when it was reported that he was negotiating to sign a contract with Toulon, a French second-division club.

The Blue Bulls Company, to which he is contracted until 2011, refused to release him to start playing for Toulon in April.

It was reported on Toulon's website that Botha had signed a contract and Mourad Boudjellal, Toulon's president, confirmed this in an interview.

However, an unidentified spokesperson later said Botha had never been a Toulon player and would never be one.