Botha, who has previously also represented the University of the Free State Shimlas, has been contracted by the Tafel Lager Griquas.

Botha will be joining the Peacock Blues when the Varsity Cup concludes and will run until the end of next year.

Griquas coach, Scott Mathie, told OFM Sport that they look forward to welcoming the powerful scrummager.

“It's great to have Janu coming on board. He has really spent some time in the Varsity Cup and he has been through the process of playing there for a few years.

“He is starting to show that the work he has been doing, especially this year, is starting to pay off.

“We think it's the right time for him to get a chance at the next level.

“We are looking forward to him coming on board. He is going to bring energy and he has a lot of potential with regard to scrummaging, so we look forward to that.”

OFM Sport also has it on good authority that Botha’s brother, Dolf, who played for the Cheetahs and Shimlas, is linked with a French D2 club.

Dolf has also spent some time in the USA where he played for both the San Diego Legions and the New England Free Jacks.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport