PW Botha (rugby union)

Pieter Willem Botha (born (1991-05-24)24 May 1991 in Durban, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player, currently playing with the Griffons. His regular position is loosehead prop.

Career

Youth

In 2007, he earned his first selection at provincial level when he was chosen for the Griffons side that played at the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week. He also represented the Griffons Country Districts side at the Under-18 Academy Week in 2008 and the Griffons' Under-18 side at the Craven Week in 2009.

In 2012, he played for the Griffons U21 side in the 2012 Under-21 Provincial Championship, scoring two tries in six starts in the competition.

Glendale Raptors

In 2012, he joined the United States-based side the Glendale Raptors for two seasons under head coach and former Springbok Andre Snyman. He featured in all the spring season games and helped them reach the National Division 1. In 2013, the Raptors got promoted to the inaugural Elite Cup where they just missed a play-off spot.

P. W. Botha

Pieter Willem Botha, DMS (12 January 1916 – 31 October 2006), commonly known as "P. W." and Die Groot Krokodil (Afrikaans for "The Big Crocodile"), was the leader of South Africa from 1978 to 1989, serving as the last Prime Minister from 1978 to 1984 and the first executive State President from 1984 to 1989.

First elected to Parliament in 1948, Botha was an outspoken opponent of majority rule and international communism. However, his administration did make concessions towards political reform, whereas internal unrest saw widespread human rights abuses at the hands of the government. Botha resigned the leadership of the ruling National Party in February 1989 after suffering a stroke and six months later was coerced to leave the presidency as well.

In F. W. de Klerk's 1992 referendum Botha campaigned for a No vote and denounced de Klerk's administration as irresponsible by opening the door to black majority rule. In early 1998, when Botha refused to testify at the Mandela government's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he was supported by the right-wing Conservative Party, which had earlier contested his rule as the official opposition. For his refusal, he was fined and given a suspended jail sentence for crimes against human rights. Shortly before his death in late 2006, he renewed his opposition towards egalitarian democracy in favour of a confederate system based upon the principles of "separate development".