Renaldo Bothma

Founder & Columnist

Former Namibia captain · Rugby World Cup 2015 · 100+ professional caps · No. 8

Renaldo Bothma is a former professional rugby No. 8 who earned more than 100 caps across the Blue Bulls, Sharks, Pumas, Harlequins and Namibia. He captained Namibia and represented them at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Today he is the founder of Octafield, bringing a player's-eye view to South African and international rugby — the tactics, the selections and the stories behind the results.

Latest from Renaldo

general

Springboks Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar Back for Bulls vs All Blacks

Springboks Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar join the Bulls bench for Saturday's clash with the All Blacks at Loftus Versveld ahead of the Boks series.

4d ago

currie_cup

Jurick Lewis Set to Earn 50th Cap for Boland Kavaliers

Jurick Lewis is set to earn his 50th cap for the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers when they face the Lions at Wits Rugby Stadium on Friday, 14 August 2026.

5d ago

general

Curwin Bosch Bulls: Bosch Ready to Shine Against All Blacks

Curwin Bosch says France gave him the mental reset he needed. Now the Bulls flyhalf is ready to test himself against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld.

11 Aug

currie_cup

Sharks Secure Win Against Boland in Currie Cup Thriller

The Sharks secured a hard-fought 19-12 Currie Cup win over Boland in KwaMashu. Renaldo Bothma breaks down the tactics and what it means for Mike Vowles's squad.

09 Aug

greatest_rivalry

Stormers vs All Blacks: Lessons From a 38-21 Defeat

Renaldo Bothma breaks down the Stormers vs All Blacks clash — a scrappy 38-21 defeat packed with lessons for Cape Town's URC campaign ahead.

08 Aug

currie_cup

Boland vs Sharks XV: Currie Cup Preview & Key Battles

Boland vs Sharks XV at Princess Magogo Stadium on Saturday. Renaldo Bothma previews the Currie Cup clash, from Schreuder's return to the revenge factor.

06 Aug

currie_cup

Lions vs Bulls Currie Cup Result: Lions 42-19 Bulls

The Lions crushed the Bulls 42-19 at UJ Stadium in the Currie Cup. Renaldo Bothma's verdict on a Bulls side that has lost all three matches this season.

01 Aug

currie_cup

Griquas Top Cheetahs Again in Tense Kimberley Currie Cup Clash

Griquas top Cheetahs again 24-21 at Suzuki Stadium. Renaldo Bothma's verdict on Tiaan Lange's standout display and what cost the Cheetahs in Kimberley.

01 Aug

currie_cup

Bulls XV Name Six Junior Springboks for Lions Currie Cup Derby

The Bulls XV have named six World Rugby U20 champions for Saturday's Jukskei derby against the Lions. Renaldo Bothma breaks down what will decide it.

31 Jul

currie_cup

Griquas Face Nine Absentees Before Cheetahs Derby

Griquas host the Cheetahs in Kimberley with nine players ruled out. Renaldo Bothma breaks down the injury crisis and what will decide the Currie Cup derby.

31 Jul

currie_cup

Faf De Klerk Rested as Cheetahs Rotate for Griquas Derby

Faf de Klerk rested and named on the bench as the Cheetahs make wholesale changes for Friday night's Currie Cup derby against champions Griquas in Kimberley.

31 Jul

currie_cup

Currie Cup Round 2 Review: Boland Stun, Griquas Demolish Bulls

Renaldo Bothma's Currie Cup Round 2 Review: Boland's 41-3 demolition, Griquas' hat-trick heroes and the Pumas' deepening crisis dissected.

27 Jul

general

All Blacks Squad: Greatest Rivalry Tour of South Africa Analysed

Dave Rennie names a 44-man All Blacks squad for the Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa. Renaldo Bothma breaks down the key selections and what decides the series.

27 Jul

currie_cup

Boland Currie Cup Win: Cavaliers Crush Stormers XXIII 41-3

Boland Cavaliers crushed Stormers XXIII 41-3 in a dominant Currie Cup display. Jayden Bantom's hat-trick lit up a packed Sanlam Boland Stadium.

26 Jul

currie_cup

Griquas vs Bulls Currie Cup Result: 56-26 Thrashing Leaves Bulls 0-2

Griquas demolished the Bulls 56-26 in a stunning Currie Cup result. Bobby Alexander and Gurswin Wehr both bagged hat-tricks in a statement Suzuki Stadium win.

25 Jul

currie_cup

Lions Win Over Pumas at Ellis Park: 52-29 Currie Cup Report

The Lions win over Pumas at Ellis Park ended 52-29, but captain Willie wasn't satisfied. Renaldo Bothma breaks down what the scoreline didn't show.

25 Jul

currie_cup_first

Heyneke's Eagles Win First Division in George Thriller

Renaldo Bothma on how Heyneke Meyer's SWD Eagles won the Currie Cup First Division title with a commanding 41-21 final victory over the Valke in George.

25 Jul

URC

Sharks Sign Veteran Nonu in Mentorship Move for Durban

The Sharks sign veteran Ma'a Nonu in a marquee mentorship role. Renaldo Bothma explains why JP Pietersen's move is shrewder than it looks.

25 Jul

currie_cup

Boland vs Stormers XXII Currie Cup Round 2 Preview

Renaldo Bothma previews Boland vs Stormers XXII Currie Cup Round 2: debutants Vermaak and Pohlmann, Dlamini's first start, and what decides it in Wellington.

24 Jul

rugby

New Stormers Skipper Named for Boland Currie Cup Clash

Stefan Ungerer steps up as Stormers XXIII skipper for Sunday's Currie Cup trip to Wellington, with Jean-Luc du Plessis and Oli Kebble both injury doubts.

24 Jul

rugby

Bergh: Griquas Must Hit Back Against Bulls XV in Kimberley

Griquas coach Pieter Bergh demands more discipline as the defending Currie Cup champions look to bounce back against the Bulls XV in Kimberley.

24 Jul

Nations Championship

Tomás Albornoz Abuse Sanction: What It Means for Rugby

Argentina flyhalf Tomás Albornoz is the first player charged under World Rugby's new abuse process. Renaldo Bothma gives his verdict on what it means.

23 Jul

rugby

Bulls Speedster Sebastian de Klerk Back in Business

Sebastian de Klerk is back for the Bulls after a foot injury. Here is what you need to know about the Vodacom Bulls winger's return to action.

23 Jul

rugby

Rugby Club World Cup Launch Delayed: What We Know

The rugby Club World Cup launch has been delayed. Here is what we know so far, and why the timeline matters for the game's biggest clubs.

23 Jul

psl

Orlando Pirates Fixtures 2026: Schedule, Results & How to Watch

Full Orlando Pirates fixture list for 2026/27 — kick-off times in SAST, venues, results and where to watch every Betway Premiership match.

23 Jul

psl

Soweto Derby: Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates History

Everything you need to know about the Soweto Derby — Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates history, rivalry, and what's next for both clubs.

23 Jul

psl

How to Watch the PSL 2026/27 in South Africa

Where to watch every Betway Premiership match in South Africa — SuperSport, DStv and live streaming options explained, all times in SAST.

23 Jul

psl

Mamelodi Sundowns 2026/27: Fixtures & Title Defence

Mamelodi Sundowns fixtures for 2026/27, kick-off times in SAST, venues and the title defence — all in one place on Octafield.

23 Jul

rugby

Sacha, Siya Return as Rassie Chooses His Twickenham Squad

Rassie Erasmus has named his Springbok squad for Twickenham, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Siya Kolisi both returning to the mix.

23 Jul

psl

Kaizer Chiefs Fixtures 2026: Schedule, Results & How to Watch

Full Kaizer Chiefs fixtures for the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season — kick-off times in SAST, venues, results and where to watch on SuperSport.

23 Jul

greatest_rivalry

Springboks vs All Blacks: Rugby's Greatest Rivalry

Renaldo Bothma makes the definitive case for why Springboks vs All Blacks is rugby's greatest rivalry — with the 2026 tour dates, head-to-head and more.

22 Jul

currie_cup

Currie Cup Weekend Fixtures & Preview | July 2026

Four Currie Cup fixtures across the weekend — Renaldo Bothma breaks down every game, kickoff times, how to watch, and what to look for.

22 Jul

SCRUM

currie_cup

Currie Cup Standout Performers: Octafield Index Rankings

Renaldo Bothma ranks the Currie Cup's standout performers using our Performance Index — from Tiaan Lange's remarkable attack numbers to the forwards reshaping the competition.

22 Jul

cricket

New Zealand Beat West Indies by One Wicket in Thriller

New Zealand beat West Indies by one wicket in a tense 189-run chase. Renaldo Bothma breaks down the tactics and turning points from this ODI classic.

20 Jul

u20_championship

Junior Springboks U20 Win Back-to-Back World Championship

South Africa's Junior Springboks U20 defeated France 16-5 in Tbilisi to defend their world title. Renaldo Bothma on what makes this squad truly special.

20 Jul

currie_cup

Currie Cup Results Round 1: Every Match Reviewed

Renaldo Bothma breaks down the Currie Cup Results Round 1 — five Premier Division thrillers, two First Division semis and what it all means for 2026.

20 Jul

currie_cup_first

SWD Rugby Into Finals After 59-10 Currie Cup Demolition

SWD Rugby storms into the Currie Cup First Division final with a ruthless 59-10 win over the Leopards. Renaldo Bothma on Meyer's brilliant Eagles.

19 Jul

f1

Andrea Kimi Antonelli Wins Belgium F1 Grand Prix at Spa

Andrea Kimi Antonelli wins the Belgium Grand Prix at Spa in dominant fashion. Renaldo Bothma breaks down the podium, Hadjar's stunning drive and more.

19 Jul

general

Junior Springboks U20 World Champs 2026: Baby Boks Crowned

South Africa's Baby Boks are U20 world champions in waiting. A gritty 16-5 win over France proves this squad wins every way. Renaldo Bothma reports.

18 Jul

Nations Championship

Joe Schmidt Farewell: Wallabies Stun Italy 57-10 in Perth

Australia sent Joe Schmidt off in style with a stunning 57-10 demolition of Italy in Perth. Nine tries, a 47-point margin — the Wallabies are back.

18 Jul

Nations Championship

All Blacks vs Ireland Eden Park: 40-21 Win Sends a Warning

The All Blacks beat Ireland 40-21 at Eden Park, extending their unbeaten home record to 53 Tests. Renaldo Bothma on what the result really means.

18 Jul

currie_cup

Sharks XV vs Pumas Currie Cup 2026: 26-24 Thriller

The Sharks edged a gutsy Pumas side 26-24 in Nelspruit. Renaldo Bothma breaks down a Currie Cup thriller that went right to the wire.

17 Jul

currie_cup

Pumas vs Sharks XV Currie Cup 2026: Tim Swiel Returns

Tim Swiel is back at the Sharks XV for the Currie Cup 2026 opener against the Pumas. Here's why his return could be the difference at Mbombela.

14 Jul

SCRUM

currie_cup

Boland Cavaliers Currie Cup Squad 2026: Full 45-Man List

The full Sanlam Boland Cavaliers squad for the 2026 Currie Cup Premier Division: all 45 players by position, key signings, captain and coach — plus their opening fixtures in Wellington.

13 Jul

currie_cup_first

Currie Cup First Division Round Up: SWD Dominate, EP Rise

SWD crushed Border 87-17 while EP climbed to second. Renaldo Bothma breaks down all three matches in this Currie Cup First Division round up.

09 Jul

craven_week

Craven Week 2026 Day 3: Behardien Stuns Sharks After the Hooter

Craven Week 2026 Day 3 results: WP beat the Sharks with the last kick, the tournament's first red card, a Jantjies hat-trick and EP's one-point escape at Grey High.

08 Jul

currie_cup

Bulls Currie Cup Squad 2026: Embracing the Chaos

Phiwe Nomlomo's Bulls Currie Cup squad 2026 is built for chaos — three away openers, Bok call-ups and unknown faces. Here's why that might just work.

08 Jul

Schools

Craven Week 2026 Day 2 Results: Lions Stun Bulls on Comeback Day

All four winners trailed at half-time on a stunning day in Gqeberha. Relive every Craven Week 2026 Day 2 result, try-scorer and talking point.

07 Jul

Schools

Craven Week 2026 Day 1: Free State Stun, WP Survive

Free State ran riot and Western Province were pushed to the brink. Here's everything that happened on a remarkable Craven Week 2026 Day 1 in Gqeberha.

06 Jul

Nations Championship

Evan Roos Springboks: Why Scotland Is His World Cup Audition

Evan Roos faces his biggest Springbok test yet against Scotland. Renaldo Bothma explains why this Nations Championship clash is a 2027 World Cup audition.

06 Jul

Nations Championship

Springboks Team To Face Scotland: Ten Changes at Loftus

Rassie Erasmus makes ten changes as the Springboks team to face Scotland is named. Pollard and Papier lead a reshuffled XV at Loftus Versfeld.

06 Jul

Nations Championship

Springboks Too Physical for England in Dominant Display

The Springboks overpowered England from the first whistle. Renaldo Bothma breaks down a dominant Bok performance and what England must fix.

04 Jul

Nations Championship

Andre Esterhuizen Impact: Why the Bench Role Makes Sense

Renaldo Bothma explains why the Andre Esterhuizen impact off the bench could be the Springboks' smartest weapon against a tiring England side.

04 Jul

Nations Championship

New Zealand Survives France Fightback in 34-32 Thriller

The All Blacks edged France 34-32 in a Nations Championship classic. Renaldo Bothma breaks down how New Zealand held on and what it means.

04 Jul

Nations Championship

Henry Pollock vs Springboks: England Got the Selection Wrong

Renaldo Bothma argues England made a selection mistake by benching Henry Pollock — the one player who could genuinely disrupt the Springboks.

03 Jul