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Rugby Union

Quins land Boks hooker

30/07/2007

South Africa hooker Gary Botha will join up with Guinness Premiership side Harlequins at the end of his country's Rugby World Cup campaign after agreeing a three-year deal with the west London outfit.

The Blue Bulls star is one of only two specialist hookers in Jake White's squad for the September showpiece, but will probably arrive at the Stoop relatively fresh with captain John Smit well ahead of him in the race for the number two shirt.

Botha has appeared nine times for the Springboks since making his debut against Australia in 2005.

"Gary is a very talented player and one everyone at Quins is looking forward to working with," said Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards.

"Aside from having the physicality you expect from a hooker, he's also very mobile, and for such a young man he has already shown tremendous leadership qualities with his performances for the Bulls in last year's Currie Cup.

"I'm very confident Gary will be a huge success in the Guinness Premiership and become a key figure in our squad over the next few years."

Botha will join a host of his international colleagues in making the switch to the northern hemisphere with Smit, along with centre Marius Joubert, set for French side Clermont Ferrand and fly-half Butch James heading for Bath.

Centre De Wet Barry will be the closest of all Botha's compatriots after already committing to two years at Harlequins in a move from Western Province.

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