Alun Wyn Jones didn’t hold back when sharing his thoughts on Bakkies Botha

Tuesday, 31 March 2026 at 11:54

bySteven Smith

Alun Wyn Jones didn’t hold back when naming the five toughest opponents he faced during his illustrious career, and it’s no surprise that Bakkies Botha features prominently on that list.

Reflecting on years of brutal test match encounters, Jones highlighted players who combined physical dominance with relentless competitiveness, singling them out as the ones who truly pushed him to his limits.

Botha, in particular, stood out for his fearsome presence and uncompromising edge—epitomising the kind of challenge that defined Jones’ career at the very highest level.

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ALUN WYN JONES: TOUGHEST OPPONENT

#1. Paul O'Connell

Born October 20, 1979, Limerick
Major teams British and Irish Lions, Munster, Ireland
Caps 115
Position Lock

The Irish second row was certainly blessed with special rugby powers having been one of the world’s leading tight forwards for more than a decade. A three-times Lions who captained the tour of South Africa in 2009.

Alun Wyn Jones said: "We got to know each other very well as team-mates with the Lions and opponents for our clubs and countries. You cannot shy away from how effective the guy was in his position.”

Did you know? O'Connell initially excelled at swimming and only started playing rugby at the age of 16

Source: The Rugby Paper=

#2. Bakkies Botha

Born September 22, 1979, Newcastle, Natal
Major teams Barbarians, Blue Bulls, Bulls, South Africa A, Toulon, South Africa
Position Lock

The second row enforcer in South Africa’s World Cup winning team of 2007, this was a man you didn’t mess around with. Rounded off his career with three European Cup wins with Toulon.

Jones said: "He revelled in it didn't he. Physically he has to be up there. Let's just say he was able to keep the tradition going of the hardest of South African second rows."

Did you know? Botha is the only player in the history of rugby union to date to have won a hat trick of Super Rugby and European rugby titles

Source: Youtube

#3. Justin Harrison

Born April 20, 1974, Sydney, NSW
Major teams Australia A, Barbarians, Bath Rugby, Brumbies, New South Wales Waratahs, Ulster, Australia
Caps 34
Position Lock

Harrison, who has a fierce feud with former England international Austin Healey, was almost better known for his larger than life personality than his rugby. A veteran of the 2003 Rugby World Cup, he spent the later years of his career with Ulster and Bath.

Jones said: "Away from the physical side, banter-wise it would have to be Aussie lock Justin Harrison. He was interesting to play against to say the least."

Did you know? He is currently the head of the Australian Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA)

Source:Youtube

#4. Kyle Sinckler (England)

Born March 30, 1993, Wandsworth
Major teams Bristol Bears, British and Irish Lions, England
Caps 50
Position Prop

Alun Wyn Jones wrote: 'Kyle Sinckler is good fun, a connection between us in Adam Jones, the tight-head ahead of me for so long for Ospreys and Wales for so long, a coach for him in his formative years was a good icebreaker. I'd like to think we get on. I like his aggression and energy on the pitch. Those are assets that can be harnessed, not controlled.'

Did you know? Sinckler has represented England at under-16, under-18, under-19 and under-20 levels, and has been a crucial member of the senior team since 2016

SOURCE: 'Belonging'

#5. Owen Farrell (England)

Born September 24, 1991, Billinge
Major teams British and Irish Lions, Saracens, England
Caps 99
Position Fly-half

Jones wrote: 'The character, the attitude. You could imagine being a kid of Owen's age when his Dad was playing, looking around at Wigan dressing room, at the men in there, how they went about their lives.

"Owen was very vocal in training from the start. And I never mind having a bollocking from an outside-half, particularly when they're right. I'd rather know than not know, when I can improve and it's context.'

Did you know? Farrell celebrates every point he scores by linking his index fingers together to make a 'JJ' sign, the Joining Jack salute, Joining Jack being a charity dedicated to the needs of sufferers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

SOURCE: 'Belonging'