Cricket South Africa | Player Profile

Johan Botha

Johan Botha made his Test debut during the 2005-06 season against Australia but, after only one Test, found the legality of his action placed under scrutiny. This has, in fact, happened to him on no fewer than 3 occasions and the fact that he has overcome these setbacks says much for his tenacity and temperament.

He has been an irregular selection at Test match level but he had his moment of glory when he played a match-winning role against the West Indies at Barbados in 2010 when he returned career-best innings figures of 4/56 and match figures of 7/102.

In contrast he has been a regular selection in both limited overs formats and led South Africa to home and away ODI series wins over Australia in2008/09 when Graeme Smith was injured. Both series were won with a game to spare. He took over the captaincy of the International T20 side for the 2010/11 season when Smith stood down permanently but has since given up that role to AB de Villiers.

He has also played significant roles for the Chevrolet Warriors when they did the domestic double of both limited overs formats in 2009/10 and reached the final of the Champions’ League at the start of the following season.