Say hello to Abu Dhabi Saracens’ Jaen Botes

Abu Dhabi Saracens' No 8 Jaen Botes returns from one-week suspension in time to face Jebel Ali Dragons.

Jaen Botes, centre, breaks through a tackle while carrying the ball in a game against the Dubai Hurricanes on January 23, 2015, in Abu Dhabi. Delores Johnson / The National

The Abu Dhabi Saracens No 8, is also aiming to earn a spot in the UAE team:

Returning warrior

With their grip on their status as West Asia’s best side becoming increasingly tenuous, Jebel Ali Dragons are well aware they are in for a battle when they host Abu Dhabi Saracens today. They have a losing record against their guests, who are top of the league having won five out of five. Plus the side from the capital will be welcoming back their captain, Jaen Botes, after a week’s suspension.

Captain Imposing

Botes, 24, was forced to miss the win in Bahrain last weekend on account of a mandatory ban imposed for accruing three yellow cards. That may provide a clue to his style of play. The powerful No 8 is one of the most imposing figures in the domestic game. While that may be an unintended red flag for referees, the UAE national team will be looking to harness it, given he is targeting a place in the side for the May tour of Malaysia.

Welsh Afrikaner

The fact that Botes can often be seen in dialogue with his father on the sideline at matches speaking in Afrikaans is no surprise. It is the South Africa-born forward’s first language after all. What is less expected, though, is the broad Welsh accent with which he speaks English. After living in Abu Dhabi for three years from 2004, Botes was spotted by Welsh coaches while he played at the Dubai Rugby Sevens. He was invited to attend Llandovery College, arguably the UK’s leading rugby institution, which was George North’s alma mater.

Gap year

After moving back to the Middle East in 2013 to work as a quantity surveyor, he took a year off from rugby. Now he is back with a vengeance. “I decided I would rejoin rugby again because I had settled in, and it seems to be going all right so far,” Botes said. “The year off set me back quite a lot. I have had to work hard and still I am not up to the form I was when I was in Wales.”

Opportunity knocks

As part of a global network of Saracens clubs, there is a route for players from the Abu Dhabi side to the professional game. The London club have already recruited a player from one of their European teams on pro terms. Botes has the talent to be similarly recognised, but he is not paying the idea much thought. “I think I have done the right thing by pursuing my career, because rugby is not everything,” he said. “I am not setting milestones in terms of rugby, I am just enjoying it at the moment.”

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