Naas Botha - A Match Winning Genius

What can you say about a player like Naas Botha? He simply was the greatest match winner South Africa has ever produced. He had an uncanny ability to dictate a match. Dr. Danie Craven described him as a genius and a general. My dad told me the story of how 3000 people went to the C field at Loftus to watch this young flyhalf play for the under 20's.
He wasn't popular outside Pretoria and people often accused him of being a kicking flyhalf only. This is one of the biggest rugby fallacies out there. Naas was a brilliant distributor of the ball and could get a backline away better than most. Ray Mordt, Danie Gerber and Carel Du Plessis all excelled with Naas at flyhalf. The reason people focused on his kicking is because he kicked so bloody well. He could get teams out of trouble and keep the scoreboard ticking over. He could also win matches almost on his own, just think of the 1987 Currie Cup Final.
Truth be told, no one can argue over Naas' ability on the field. He was a winner and he went onto the field with one objective - TO WIN. South Africa hasn't been able to replace him in 24 years and I doubt we will see his like again.
I hope you enjoy this video. Thanks for watching!

[@blitzkrieg3558]

I bought my first and only south Africa rugby jersey after watching Naas Botha .. and I'm English..

[@rlsuth]

As a Western Province supporter I hated him, as a Springbok supporter I loved him, but I always recognised what a fantastic player he was.

[@johndamons]

😮😮😮😮😮⁸

[@pietervanbreda4360]

Hoor hoor

[@jeremyrogers4839]

Yes. As a Natalian I can relate. Agreed, he was a great Springbok.

[@trevorjones4299]

You and me both. How nostalgic are those white and blue hoops of Province?

[@bwana4711]

Off either foot. Hated watching him play against WP but loved him when he played for the Boks. There’s no doubt never been a better kicker in the game.

[@IwasInThe60s]

I have to finally get this off my chest: It was the time of sports isolation, and provincialism was the order of the day. I was a huge Western Province fan. I was in the Free State Stadium for the Currie Cup Final between WP and FS in 1976. The curtain raiser was a u.20 match between Northern Transvaal and whoever (I forget). There was this blonde flyhalf from NT who kicked penalties over from impossible positions. The next year, Northern Transvaal had a pre-season practice match against North-Eastern Cape (NOK) in Cradock. That was my part of the woods and me and my friends drove from Noupoort to Cradock for the match with my mum's Ford Cortina (even though neither of us were old enough to qualify for a driver's license yet - but that is a story for another day😆). There we were awed by Naas's other abilities: eye for the gap, breaking the line, perfect passing skills and so forth. Regrettably, I was one of the crowds of people that booed him at Newlands when he played against WP, to try to disrupt his game, aim and composure. Today I am relieved that it had no effect and probably motivated him even more! So this is my little tribute (and apology) to Naas... The greatest flyhalf ever.

[@davidpetersen1323]

The way he just pops it over from any angle/distance, either feet is just incredible

[@Alias-gy3tz]

Cool story! Yes, you either loved or hated him, depending on who's side he was playing for. As a NTV and Springbok supporter I loved him. I always used to tell people, he does not only kick well, he does everything well, rugby genius. It is a shame that he could not play on the international stage. Kudos for your tribute to him :)

[@sakabula2357]

That's a great comment..My father was the principal at Merensky High School in the eighties..I was still a boy running around barefoot with a pet Wharthog named Leon..Merensky High School had a rugby week back then...I was so lucky to as a child to have met Naas..Jan Lock..Zandberg Jansens and so many others..I miss those years and miss you Dad

[@alwynvanwyk1851]

​@@sakabula2357😢😢😢👍🏻✌🏻👊🏻

[@johnnyholtzhausen3493]

I don't hate him , I hate his arragants and it was kickby not rugby. Why didn't he wi n all the games as a springbok rugby captain ? He had the worst record 🎉

[@johnypirelli1118]

After watching the rugby World Cup 2019 as an Australian .... looking at Faf de clerk , ezen .... the locks , fantastic springbok history.... this has been a revelation to see this fly half way before my time but amazing player

[@Alias-gy3tz]

Naas Botha was a giant in rugby. True SA rugby legend.

[@duvelization]

I am a Brit, but I lived in SA from 1975 to 1982. I saw a lot of rugby. Gysie Pienaar, Gerrie Germishuys, Mordt, Botha. They had some world class players, and Naas Botha was an absolutely exceptional player. Never saw him drop a ball, and kicked like a god.

[@walterjamessimpson5829]

I remember back in 1985 it whas northern Transvaal against transvaal.im a Transvaal(lions) supporter that day Transvaal kicked nice boxkicks in open spaces .everytime Naas Botha were there to catch the ball.what a genius.

[@JamesBond-006.5]

My dad couldn't stand Naas and I followed suite... until I watched him live at Loftus. That day my mind changed forever! Naas was and I believe still is a strategic genius! Respect!

[@RealRugby]

I'm glad you saw the light! He is the greatest flyhalf we ever had. A genius of a player

[@sammyvyfers8849]

Naas team mates made it possible for him to played the game perfectly. In his rugby career there were formidable scrumhalfs like Tommy duplessis an Robert du preez.

[@francoisgrimbeek4944]

😊

[@vantheman1238]

I moved from South Wales to Boksburg in 1987. Was taken to the final of the Currie Cup on the Saturday after arriving the previous week. All I had heard all week was Naas this Naas that. All the fellas I went to the game with were Transvaal supporters, however, they were worried to death about this bloke Naas Botha. In the first minute the ball was kicked deep and from the resulting lineout the ball went back to Naas Botha behind his own try line. Botha was pelted with what looked like tangerines to me, hundreds of them. He kicked the ball right up to the halfway line. Botha kicked all 28 points for Northern Transvaal to win the game. Incredible

[@sakabula2357]

Jeez from Wales to Boksburg..must have been quite a culture shock..Are you still in SA?

[@omogolonkwe6474]

Now i see now i believe who was Naas Botha wow what a genuis !!💯❤

[@alexismontel2084]

Congratulations from France, I was a rugby player like my father as well..we hot so great player at this time, but I remember how a favorite halfly he was for my father..brilliant player, strategic and Kicker from hell ! Really pleased to se him again after all these years on this video....👍

[@carlboonzaier7751]

The 1976 All Black's rugby team touring South Africa made it a point to be present early at a stadium to watch a blond young flyhalf playing in a curtainraiser to their match. They admired his talent and found him exciting to watch. Guess who? Naas Botha.

[@davidmaree2102]

What strikes me about the footage is how excellent their ball and running skills were in those earlier years. It is no wonder the springboks had a positive win record against all countries until this seemed to have changed.

[@IwasInThe60s]

With a leather ball!

[@Alias-gy3tz]

They played wonderful running rugby.

[@eugenemakwena6792]

The highlights of Danie Gerber as a Springbok shows much more running rugby and passing from Naas. Legend

[@juangeyserza]

Man I'm gonna search Danie Gerber now

[@paulthomson2288]

I don't think the magnitude of the All Blacks series victory in 1981 against the Springboks will ever be recognized. They were an excellent touring team and Naas Botha reputation preceded him.

[@davidtuer5825]

Danie Craven said Naas was much more than a kicker, he was a genius. I've just spent an hour watching Naas drop kick. A very one sided view of a complete player.

[@quintongengan3244]

"Mr Rugby" The world over. My player of All time. Well done SIR. GREAT TO WATCH. Thank you for affording me the oportunity to watch you play

[@jeokagem8002]

Naas was just simply a BLIKSEM! Everyone who wasn't a Northern Tvl supporter absolutely HATED HIM! He screwed up many a rugby match for the spectators; the ball would get to him and he'd kick the opposition, literally, to pieces and from virtually any spot on the field! The man was irresistible and absolutely impossible to contain! As with so many truly gifted sportsmen, he made drop-goals look so easy, it was ridiculous! I remember the Cavaliers had dubbed him "NASTY BOOTER". :-))

[@sakabula2357]

Lol..great comment

[@vanvandervyver2506]

Naas must be regarded as one the best fly-halves of all time and it just so happen that he is a personal friend of mine. And he played for the team I have been supported since 1965 the mighty Northern Transvaal. A true legend of Northern Transvaal and South African rugby.

[@RealRugby]

Van van der Vyver The best ever Van! Sorry I haven't got back to you about those videos, I have been out of the country. Will catch up with you in September. Regards, Werner

[@trancemadmaz]

Even ahead of Dan Carter?

[@MeanAzz_13]

@@trancemadmaz only in his dreams

[@Alias-gy3tz]

@@trancemadmaz Yes. All he needed to win a game was to play behind a good pack of forwards. That said, he was a great runner of the ball as well, the Springboks and N TVL scored plenty of beautiful tries with him commanding the game at flyhalf. He was a points scoring machine and a true rugby genius. He could read the game like no other.

[@grobariza]

if Carterplayed with Naas Carter would be at 12@@Alias-gy3tz

[@quintongengan3244]

For me personally..... The greatest flyhalf the world over....

[@quentinadkins432]

LEGEND!!!

[@chinesespeakwelsh]

Have a Naas day. Only South Africans get this.

[@cowboyup6744]

Yep, cause of the accent

[@hanoitripper1809]

Im ozzy but i remember Naas

[@Wall1s_]

When Naas was born, the Dr turned to his mom and said; “It’s a boy Mrs Botha’ and she answered; ‘Ahaaa, that’s ‘Naas”

[@floydkingi4364]

Im a kiwi n Aaar get it!

[@jaunleroux1613]

If only we can get another Naas. Those that criticized him, knows nothing about rugby.

[@mr.f.j.vandervyver9897]

One of the best and greatest fly halves ever to have played for Northern Transvaal and South Africa. A true genius and legend of South African rugby.

[@riaan237]

Die ander groot losskakel van Noord-Transvaal is Hansie Brewis. Noord-Transvaal het 'n lynstaan op ons eie doellyn. Noord-Transvaal wen die lynstaan, uit na Brewis en hy skop die bal uit op die halflyn. Die teenstanders gooi die bal by die lynstaan in, Noord-Transvaal neem die bal af, uit na Brewis en hy skop 'n skepskop oor. Hy breek die ander span se moed. In daardie tyd het 'n skepskop 4 punte getel.

[@nathanwilliams2152]

I would consider putting him at 10 in an all-time XV. Only drawback was his lack of physicality, but he was a great kicker and a great runner, and could boss the game from the 10 spot no problem.

[@Alias-gy3tz]

@@nathanwilliams2152 He didn't need to be "physical", he was just that good.

[@wernertukker5420]

@@nathanwilliams2152.. he just knew how to utilise the other 14 men around him like no one else could. Lol Genius’s uses the only muscle that really matter .. the one in their head 😉

[@leonscheepers5350]

Being a Western Province supporter, I used to dislike the 'Nasty Booter'. Naas Botha was one of the best players ever. He could beat a team by himself (which is the reason I disliked him). The best fly-half ever, without a doubt. Nobody else even comes close. His positional play was pure wizardry, like he had a drone up there checking it all out. Edit This dude was obviously a points scoring machine Edit Pity they don't show his positional kicking ... that was the real wizardry ... Edit I remember stories of him practicing kicks at 5 in the morning before school ... and at night under floodlights. He was a professional before his time.

[@wernertukker5420]

Way ahead of his time, along with Gerber. And yes; it’s his tactical kicking that was wearing teams down, knowing he could launch a drop goal at any moment, which then had the opposition on the back foot. And juts when they think he is going to kick again, he breaks a line, and sends his back line all the way across the line. Put Naas behind todays Bok pack, with today’s balls, and the rest of best fly half’s of all times, would be a loooong distant in second. He was unlike any player before or after. He simply is the best fly half of all time.

[@daaichommie708]

What was really amazing to me when I found out was, apparently the Rugby Union wanted to drop the points awarded for a drop goal from 3 points down to 2, just due to how dead eye dick Naas was at slotting them from almost anywhere within his range. I'v never seen him play but all the old guard reckon he was pure genius as a fly half due to his ability to read the game and be in the right place at the right time. It was part of the reason his kit was mostly clean, he just read everything as if he had the power of hindsight.

[@MusoManUK]

nope, all he did was follow his forwards around so that he could be in position to kick

[@jacqloock]

Best ever

[@LeonKotze70]

@@MusoManUK nope, obviously you have never seen this master of the game in real life...

[@Alias-gy3tz]

@@LeonKotze70 He obviously has not, or does not understand rugby at all.

[@buffalovalley5586]

Naas was the best fly half of all time. A giant, a legend, he was a match winner, brilliant rugby player.

[@mootheconqueror1965]

He was no Dan Carter

[@bee7549]

@@mootheconqueror1965 cant compare Carter was great but Naas was just better

[@mootheconqueror1965]

@Bee75 no chance at all. Carter had all the skills. Naas could only kick. Even Michael Lynagh had it all over Naas.

[@buffalovalley5586]

@@mootheconqueror1965 that's not true but in any case, he only needed his kicking boot to defeat the other side which he did every time anyway.

[@buffalovalley5586]

@@bee7549 absolutely, their will never be another Naas. Simply class of his own.

[@andrejooste7401]

There was and never Will be a kicker like Naas Botha

[@lizettebuys5198]

Naas is my rugby hero. This was a great video. He could kick like no other flyhalf and he could also break through the defence for some brilliant tries.

[@pieterniemandt212]

Imagine what he would have done with the more playable and kickable modern ball.

[@kwaggacapetown3191]

Probably one of the best rugby videos I have seen. Brilliant work. For the first time I could actually see in depth how good this man was. 👍🏼Keep up the good work.

[@RealRugby]

Thanks for the support!

[@Doos121]

I Remember Ntvl playing Free State, when Jan Els from the Free State knocked Naas down with a hook, and Naas getting up, dazed and confused, kicking over the penalty for the dirty play! If I am not mistaken, this was during the 1987' , same year Naas demolished Tvl in the final, with drop goals on a very wet Ellis Park. What a genius player indeed.

[@RealRugby]

Spot on Wimpie! That Jannie Els incident actually just proved what a player Naas was. That '87 final has got to be one of the greatest performances by a flyhalf ever. Thanks for the support!

[@brianmuvuti2505]

White supremacist paradise

[@connievanzyl9200]

@@brianmuvuti2505 Black idiot..

[@CarlosGrande06]

Brian Muvuti tired of black people showing themselves as the victims all time. It’s 2019 get over it

[@brianmuvuti2505]

@@CarlosGrande06 Says a white boy who pillaged my land for 250 years. I want reparations first. Then I want my land back without compensation

[@cornemouton2740]

Thank you so much, he 's been regarded as a legend by my father and people of those days, he was 'good' in my eyes. But with this footage, I can't but to regard him as a legend, as well. Thank you again. It was always said that he could only kick points, but he was a mastermind of note.

[@Alias-gy3tz]

That was only said by people who supported teams that played against him.

[@paddy8046]

Thank you so much for this video, fantastic! Living in the UK things change like your accent, crap weather however one thing that will never change is my love for the boks, it's in my DNA since the days sitting with my grandad listening to the game on the radio. Naas was before my generation but you cannot deny his talent!

[@hanoitripper1809]

Patrick Webster different experience to the saffirs who come to Oz!

[@bolo863]

Back in the good old days when rugby was still rugby. Nowadays there are so many rules.

[@wilburburger6155]

I just watched the whole program uninterrupted for almost an hour.

[@johnypirelli1118]

Wilbur burger yes I did too .... 11/2019

[@alexandervanwyk7669]

I grew up with him. Certainly (one of the best) of all time. The ONE man responsible for changing the rules of the game and for causing tries to count 5 i.o. 3 points. If you were a NT supporter, he was the most loved player. But oh dear for supporters of any other, this was the most hated player imaginable!

[@diegroblers]

Totally agree about loved and hated. But just like the NTVL supporters screamed ourselves hoarse when he kicked, the whole of SA screamed - if he was playing for the Boks. Which told me it was plain ol' jealousy.

[@brucelang1201]

Down here in the cape we hated Naas but he is definitely one of a kind a genius and he proved that time and time again.

[@brianmarrian3619]

Naas Botha & the Springboks - would of won the first Rugby World Cup (1987)

[@wernertukker5420]

Undoubtedly.. the names in that back line alone. Could’ve easily have picked two very different springbok teams and they still would’ve won it. There was some incredible talent across the provinces during that time. Names we’ve probably even forgotten lol But I guess we had to give NZ a head start… 4/4

[@pietpompies2904]

My first comment on KZbin, so thanks Real Rugby for showing some footage with some real significance. During his playing days I hated Naas Botha due to his ability to win a match on his own from nowhere, more often than not against my team. However, South Africa is urgently in need of heroes like himself and Danie Gerber to name two. Carel du Plessis springs to mind as well. Naas Botha is arguably the best Fly Half South Africa ever had until date and probably one of the best the world ever had. However, I believe, that he set a certain trend in South Africa for fly halves and other back line players as well... that of the kicking kind. Naas executed this style to perfection, and one of the only ones who could play and ply his style with wit finesse and style. Past and current fly halves after Naas have tried numerous times to copy this but has failed due to lack of talent in this specific style of play. So how brilliant Naas was and which I admire to this day, the unfortunate aftermath of his brilliance is a lot of back line players trying to copy the uncopyable - there was only one Naas and we will wait a long time to find another. So if there is any fly half out there reading my post, don't try and copy Naas if you don't have what it takes, play the game and hopefully that will benefit your team more. FINAL NOTE: With all said and done, we need players like Naas, Danie, Carel, Mannetjies etc again for we are very thin at the moment!

[@wesselvanrensburg755]

Thanks for making this. But its a pity it does not show much of his other play. He was an excellent distributer of the ball, an incredible kicker for field position, fast with a great step. Also a real general on the field switching play, skip passes, invariably he was where opposition kicks went.

[@RealRugby]

Hi Wessel. Thanks for the feedback. This video is more to show how Naas was a points machine. We've realized that its actually more ammunition for those rugby folks who only see Naas as a kicking flyhalf. We are actually planning to do a video on Naas's running and distribution game, which was very very good. Thanks for the support!

[@rubennasser6907]

Wessel van Rensburg I had the pleasure to see him live a few times, and Naas had the amazing ability to read the mind of the opponents and magically appear just where the kicks went... Cheers from Paraguay

[@kevinrtres]

Fully agree on this. I hated it when he time and time again forced the opposition(especially the team I was supporting!) back into their own 22m from deep within his own territory. He was just absolutely phenomenal. It is definitely one of the things I really miss about today's game - those long, raking kicks that always managed to find their target. On that point, Naas himself is also not shy to say that he is disappointed by the lack of skill shown by most fly-halves today when it comes to kick for position or clearing on penalty kicks.

[@gertbotha3019]

@@RealRugby Great video. Have you guys completed the other Naas video?

[@billyjohnesterhuizen6340]

I REALLY DIDN;T LIKE NAAS MUCH, BUT OH MAN!! THAT MAN COULD READ A GAME.

[@SeanLarkan]

Always thought he was mainly a kicker; not so, all round great player & hugely talented. Very balanced decent bloke as well.

[@jacksteel80]

surely born a lagend

[@francoisdebruyn4424]

MY father Cas de Bruyn test rugby referee always said Naas was brilliant. Very clever to read a match.

[@alexandervanwyk7669]

We were bereaved 'till the end of the 80's of World Cup titles, but fortunately 2023 eventually start doing some justice to South Africa. Dankie vir die wonderlike terug blik op die goeie ou dae.

[@SuddenStorm982]

True genius 🏆

[@zepher3609]

What a Legend! Thanks for the Video... As a kid my most vivid memory of Naas was when he took Leon to court over him making fun of his character. Like Mark Zuckerberg said "you don't become famous by only making friends" Thanks again for this amaizing video - Go Bokke !!!

[@LeonKotze70]

That was a marketing gimmick, he and Leon are best of buds.

[@sakabula2357]

Lol..Leon was obsessed with Naas at one stage..

[@Grynoujacobs]

The best video to date. Really enjoyed this one. Huge fan of your work.

[@RealRugby]

+Ryno Jacobs thanks so much Ryno, I'm glad you appreciate the legends! I have plenty more in the pipeline including 1 hour long videos of Danie Gerber and Joost van der Westhuizen. Just putting on the finishing touches and they will be up. In the meantime, go check out my Facebook page and keep sharing! Thanks for the support :)

[@john.f8726]

Tommy du Plessis na Naas Botha..... Hy gaan skepskop pale toe......Ja dis daar! Drie punte by vir Noord Transvaal!

[@sapatriot7729]

Brilliant place- and dropkicker.

[@steveowen2789]

Naas. Is. And always will be the king of rugby. There ISNT a player before or since like him.

[@Palerider610]

Johhny Wilkinson..

[@johnnyholtzhausen3493]

Just agood kicker but Jannie de beer still has the best record

[@catholicrugbyfan1635]

Thanks...Great video!!!

[@Juiced10111]

Anyone noticed how the opposition already starts walking to restart the moment Naas lets go of the ball to drop it?

[@AMARLUCKAN]

The Nasty Booter, absolute legend

[@user-jn7tc3tp2x]

Briljante speler. Baie dankie vir die wonderlike beeld materiaal.

[@RealRugby]

Gerann Gerber Groot plesier Gerann. Dankie vir die ondersteuning

[@user-jn7tc3tp2x]

Geen probleem. Hierdie is Springbok Rugby op sy beste.

[@adr1ano1987]

Wow that drop goal at 5:41 I've never seen anything like that before

[@jonathanhall1184]

And the one at 20.36? 55 metresa at least.

[@mr.f.j.vandervyver9606]

Not only a brilliant rugby player but also a personal friend of mine. A true legend of the game and one of a kind. He is knowledge about the game is truly remarkable.

[@TonyTightlips]

Loving the vintage background music @ 24:09.

[@theokatman]

Legend yet many disliked what he brought to the game

[@claimsprocessinfo]

fantastic natural talent.

[@mannab2975]

Great om ‘n Botha te wees!

[@OldBarbershop]

Pure gold.

[@adrianboshoff1582]

Doc Craven said it... a Genius.. maybe 50 years before we see another... and he is spot.. our flyhaves are just dismal.

[@RabbitholeIsrael]

OK, we all agree, he is the best KICKER of all time

[@pieterniemandt212]

Once l read about this guy criticizing Naas for only being a kicking flyhalve. That was in the middle of the Cavalier tour. Next moment Naas kicked an up and under,regained possession and scored. A try created by himself. When he had the will his team would win. Almost like Donald Trump. His supporters are gettin tired of winning. Yet he just win win win.

[@aristodim8919]

Kicked with both feet..right and left !!!

[@diegroblers]

@@@pieterniemandt212 And there you go and completely fuck it up by comparing Naas to arsehole trump.

[@colintaylor1435]

Agree.....all the bad publicity and antagonism about Trump is because he is one of the few fighting the giants of corruption and they know they may not survive without their crooked ways. TRUMP all the way for a better world.

[@diegroblers]

@@@colintaylor1435 :D:D:D

[@awfelia]

Hyper nostalgia!! ♡_♡

[@DropkickArgy]

thx for putting Danie Gerber into the intro

[@RealRugby]

Argy Bargy Go check out our full tribute to Danie Gerber

[@lifeOFzeff]

Just looking at this genius play I can understand why the bulls was so successfull in that period

[@justinchetham-strode5234]

To my mind, this man was the greatest fly-half of all time until the appearance of Dan Carter. Botha had all the requisite skills of a 10 and he dropped more goals than anyone I've ever seen, and from the tightest of positions. Sadly his international career was short and incomplete due to the apartheid ban on South African sports teams, but his genius is easy to see in these clips. What a player!

[@thorstenherbst4137]

Those were the days my friend.

[@user-ih1ed7kn3r]

Dankie Naas

[@jandreneethling5664]

Great Work @RealRugby I saw this video and having had the privilege to grow up and watch this legend play as a boy I can honestly say some of the comments below is severely misguided. The video may be limited to mostly his drop-kicks but what made him a genius was his spacial conception, pattern reading ability and on top of that the fleetness of judgement the likes one see in cricket players like AB, Gilchrist, McCullum etc.. Throw the red rock at them 100 mph and you just stay amazed by how much time they have on hand to come up with ridiculous responses... Those days there were no analytics on opposition game plans with counter plans etc.. Maybe the odd evaluation of the opposition to counter one or 2 blokes and then concentrate on your own plans and strengths. Modern day Fly-halves are gauged on how good they are based on that fleetness of judgement which allows them to take a ball shallow against defence versus those having to stand deeper for the split second longer that it takes the lesser equipped fly-half to reach the same decision. The best of the best can stand virtually on top of the gain line and still get the backline going through any defence whether rush or otherwise. Teams spend millions around analysis and game plans on this singular pivotal topic just to try and out-best each other’s systems. The modern day backline is trained to interpret the Fly-half’s decision and execute the “game-plan”, whether fallible or not. The ones that win is the street smart blokes that does this best. In Naas’s days there was none of that. Apart from the fact that he had the skill / gift of micro-second decision making he also had what most modern fly-halves lack. Spacial awareness and analytical capacity during open play without the need of coaching and special training. What the Millenials get coached and trained on nowadays he could do on the fly. He dropped for points when he saw no positive outcome in a backline move and he passed when an outcome for a try had an above average probability. One can argue this point as much as you like but you will not find any career ending injuries to his backline players in the games he was involved in. Simply because of his special awareness and interpretation of outcome. So don’t guage him against other fly-halves and rather celebrate him for what he was. Like Doc Craven said in interview; “If you leave him out of a game when he is at your disposal then you are a fool and you do so at your own peril.”

[@adr1ano1987]

Wow this comment is amazing. Give us more...

[@adr1ano1987]

Would you say he's the best 10 ever?

[@jandreneethling5664]

Adriano Marais In the days of amateur rugby most likely. But rugby’s evolvement into the realms of professional sports has changed the game completely. Clive Woodward for example changed the way unions approach coaching and Guys like Sir Graham Henry and Steve Hansen in particular perfected it. 10’s like Wilkinson, Carter, Barret, Pollard and Sexton to a degree all have that spacial awareness and Barret in particular have the millisecond tactical judgement ability. As an example, have a look where Pollard and Sexton stands as first receiver compared to Jantjies and Carty. Both second option fly halves stands up to 2 meters deeper as their decision making is fractionally slower. If you disregard Barret’s off the t kicking accuracy I would say he’s the best 10 the professional game has ever seen. Much like Botha was in the amateur era. For the best professional era nr 10 in terms of the “most complete” player my vote will be Dan Carter and I suppose if you ask any England fan he will probably cast his vote for Wilkinson. Would Naas have been in the voting bracket if he was born in the ‘90’s and played today? I think most definitely. I sometimes wonder what he could have achieved under coaches like Hansen and Rassie.

[@philipmalherbe719]

Colby mspimpi tries

[@jacqloock]

All true. No player before or since invariably imposed his will on games with such authority. Also, I realized at one stage he NEVER knocked on or dropped the ball. Look at how many bad passes he turned into drop goals. First and only time I saw him fumble was at age 36 at Newlands vs Australia in godawful conditions. NEVER threw a bad pass that I can recall. Larkham-like in accuracy. If you are anywhere close to forward parity with Naas in your team you WILL win. It’s what he’s for. It’s what he does.

[@kevinoliver6237]

Absolute Legend!! Pure class all the way. I feel privaleged to have enjoyed his career during the late 70s and 80s.. Dankie Naas.

[@phillipshepherd1465]

Goat for sure.

[@claudrebille178]

Naas was n egte genie Naas était un vrai genie Naas era n jugador fantastico Naas was a real genius

[@watkinsrory]

I move to Ireland and there is a town called Naas its pronounced nace ( like mace ). Nobody knew where I was talking about when I was asking about Naas.

[@jwgfoto5419]

Dit gee mens hoendervleis! Trots op jou Naas!

[@TjakaErasmus]

That one game on Loftus. It was a Lion Cup match - so it was knock-out from game one. Northern Tansvaal played Far North. I grew up in Ellisras (now Lephalale), so that day I was Far North. Once Naas got the ball and kicked. I shouted: "Naas jou bang gat" (Naas you pissy). I almost got moered that day there at Loftus Versveld! 😂

[@annefilippobertozzi7601]

Great video, if I could only understand Afrikaans... One of my youth’s heroes.

[@TjakaErasmus]

One day Naas was selected to play for Northern Transvaal B against ... I can't remember. I was there when the B teams entered. The stadium was packed! For the B sides! Naas humiliated the selectors who demoted him to the B squad. He was like a god. It was actually funny.

[@adr1ano1987]

I honestly believe with Naas Botha we would win this year's world cup. This guy can score drop goals from anywhere on the field

[@antonielaing]

Who needs Naas when we have this Bok squad? I believe this is the start of another glorious 4 years for bok rugby.

[@carl1095]

As a Saffer it seems like I'm yet to meet a rugby supporter who likes NB. But give the man his due, he was a match winner and brilliant at what he does.

[@mathewscott7765]

SA rugby is a shadow of what it used to be.

[@sarkisarki3233]

mathew scott : not in agreement with you mate. It's Sep 2018. Just given the All Blacks their biggest loss ever 34 vs 36 in Wellington. First time the ABs had toast in Wellington in ten years. Things change, ebb and flow. I reckon the Boks will do well at the World Cup in Japan 2019. Cheers

[@dhirshg]

World Cup final in a few days.

[@WTG194]

Best team in the world currently!

[@toiletsmithy3630]

@@WTG194 Can't be the best Team if you can't beat the Best Team, doesn't make Sense honestly

[@imKyleZA]

I recon we could have won WC '87 with that springbok team

[@noleenpeake2164]

Would have,SA rugby was back than tough, can u remember Transvaal winning the Super 10 I think that was our first year playing competitively

[@drooky123]

Even though this era was largely through the dark days of international isolation & boycotts, it still feels like this was the golden age of South African Rugby... (maybe i'm just showing my age)...very nostalgic. But of course it was only right that things had to change as the country soon after became a democracy & embraced better representation & diversity in its sports.

[@michtur6347]

He sure kicked away a lot of good ball

[@TheTobs50]

Uitstekende video dankie. Ja, Naas was Baas in ons jongdae, en alhoewel as Matiestudente ons vir WP ondersteun het, was Naas 'n wedstrydwenner sonder weerga. Saluut Naas.

[@mannab2975]

Wat 'n Meester!!

[@Appregator]

All Naas Bothas "pogings" from the TV commentator ended up going through the posts. They should have said Naas has now decided to score a drop kick.

[@laraconnock9525]

Naas could run the ball too, have often wondered how many more points he would have made if he had run more. As a WP supporter loved to hate him... but as a bok supporter, glad he was there.

[@erhardize]

how many flyhalves now days can kick a drop goal while running forward ??????????????????

[@hanoitripper1809]

today they will be needed

[@tezzymurphy8730]

None boet

[@IAmMisterSipho]

With both feet.

[@alastairgoldstone3161]

@@hanoitripper1809 nncc T6Mb46

[@TjakaErasmus]

And that one game when he overwhelmed Western Province on Newlands. Caught the bouncing ball and went through for a try (apart from a drop goal, and so on ...). Oh my Western Province friends hated him so much!

[@RealRugby]

That was a Lion Cup game in 1985. He was brilliant that day!

[@janniemeyer9951]

Naas Botha the greatest of the great. Dan Carter included.

[@mootheconqueror1965]

No. When he played against the Wallabies, Michael Lynagh made him look amateur

[@carlswart1023]

Best ever in the world.Wish we had him for this world cup

[@SuperEdge67]

carl swart Garbage .......he couldn’t tackle to save his life.

[@jonathanhall1184]

we didn't need him

[@glywnniswells9480]

We had Faf De Klerk

[@786ALHAQ]

@@SuperEdge67 Well, the others can't kick to save their life

[@antoniovt1366]

The greatest flyhalf of all time!

[@deenfredericks7091]

I can almost smell the genuine leather off that ball. Those were the days. Ps. I met Rob Lowe at the Two Oceans. What a day

[@louisjordaan8266]

The best ever flyhalf.

[@avebac1]

Wow naas botha vs hugo porter

[@malesletsgetgoing5717]

Naas's N Transvaal lost in the curry cup final against my team Natal on my bday, the 6th of October 1990. What a great birthday that was. Naas was a softy, never saw him tackle and ran super fast, like a chicken, in case he was tackled. He said after the game that Natal will take another 100 years to win another curry cup, but the 🐥was proven wrong lols, we went on to win many thereafter... Thanks Naas for the trophy u #ofy 😂😂

[@direct9945]

ohh man I use to grind my teeth wen they play the all blacks naa he s awesum

[@Krispppyy]

Oh my god he came to my school, I even talked to him!!

[@hanoitripper1809]

HyperTide where

[@johanweakley2658]

I played against him in high school first team. Needless to say we lost😁