Jaen Botes in line to make UAE debut at 7he Sevens

Matt Jones - Editor 10:52 30/04/2015
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  • National duty: Jaen Botes (c) has been living in the Emirates since 2004 and says winning a first UAE cap will be the highlight of his career.

    Player of the Year Jaen Botes is looking to cap off a “magical” season by making his debut for the UAE this Friday.

    The South African could make his bow in a friendly against a touring Lloyd’s TSB team at 7he Sevens, Dubai, with a view to earning a first actual cap when the UAE travel to Malaysia next week to take part in the Asia Rugby Championship.

    Roelof Kotze’s team will take on hosts Malaysia, Thailand and Chinese Taipei in Kuala Lumpur from May 10-16 in the Asia RFU’s restructured Division II after they suffered relegation last year. 

    Botes, 25, has enjoyed a standout year with his club side Abu Dhabi Saracens, who won the West Asia Club Championship against Doha.

    The No8, however, admits winning a first UAE cap will be the “highlight” of his career.

    “It’s been a crazy year, full of mixed emotions, so hopefully I can cap off this magical season,” said the man who won the Player of the Year award at the UAE Rugby Annual Awards a few weeks ago.

    “It’s been an overwhelming season,” said the Sarries skipper.

    “It’ll be nice to go to Malaysia and cap it off with three wins. That would be remarkably special. I’ve worked hard and with hard work comes reward.”

    Although originally from South Africa, Botes’ family have lived in the UAE since 2004.

    “My family have lived here a long time and to put on that jersey and represent the UAE will be the highlight of my career.”

    With Botes awaiting his UAE debut, a man at the other end of the spectrum is relishing a new era for rugby in the Emirates.

    Abu Dhabi Harlequins prop Graham Murphy has 17 caps for his adopted nation and is the second most capped UAE international ever.

    The 29-year-old has been excited by what he’s seen at national team training in recent weeks and says he’s looking forward to improving the UAE’s international record.

    Since being reformed as the UAE national team out of the ashes of the Arabian Gulf four years ago, the side has played 19 games, winning just two, drawing one and losing 16.

    Murphy has played in 17 of those 19 games and believes good times could be just around the corner.

    “It always used to be with the UAE that you’d be ringing around trying to get people to play but now everyone’s chomping at the bit to play. There’s a lot of hunger and it feels like the beginning of a new era for UAE rugby,” said the Northern Irishman.

    Murphy is only two appearances shy of Quins’ team-mate Chris Jones Griffiths, who is also in the squad and the most capped UAE international ever with 19.

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