ACHIEVEMENTS & MILESTONES
Discover the remarkable achievements of our featured athletes. From record-breaking performances to prestigious awards, each milestone tells a story of dedication and perseverance.
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SA Schools Rugby
2022
POSITION:
Lock
CLUB TEAM:
Stormers (Cape Town - SA)
HOMETOWN:
Paarl
DOB:
March 23, 2005
CATEGORY:
Young Guns
SPORTING CODE:
Rugby
Danio Botha, born Daniel Botha on March 23, 2005, is a promising South African rugby union player known for his imposing presence as a lock and he combines size, athleticism, and lineout prowess to excel in the second row.
Originally from Pretoria, Botha moved to the Western Cape for his high school education at Paarl Gimnasium, a renowned rugby powerhouse. During his schoolboy career, he stood out as a dominant lock, earning Man of the Match honors in key games, such as a 2022 Winelands derby where Paarl Gim defeated rivals. In 2022, he represented Western Province at the junior level and was selected for the South African Schools U18 team, marking his early recognition at the national youth stage.
After completing high school, Botha pursued higher education at the University of Cape Town (UCT), joining the Ikey Tigers rugby team. He featured prominently in the 2025 Varsity Cup, scoring tries and contributing to the team's efforts, including a notable score against opponents in Johannesburg. Around this time, he also played for the DHL Western Province U21 side in domestic competitions like the Currie Cup U21, where he scored multiple tries, including in a match that helped secure a halftime lead.
Botha's development continued with his inclusion in SA Rugby's inaugural Under-19 Academy intake in October 2024, where he was listed as a lock representing DHL Western Province among a group of 48 talented juniors attending a camp in Stellenbosch.
Originally from Pretoria, Botha moved to the Western Cape for his high school education at Paarl Gimnasium, a renowned rugby powerhouse. During his schoolboy career, he stood out as a dominant lock, earning Man of the Match honors in key games, such as a 2022 Winelands derby where Paarl Gim defeated rivals. In 2022, he represented Western Province at the junior level and was selected for the South African Schools U18 team, marking his early recognition at the national youth stage.
After completing high school, Botha pursued higher education at the University of Cape Town (UCT), joining the Ikey Tigers rugby team. He featured prominently in the 2025 Varsity Cup, scoring tries and contributing to the team's efforts, including a notable score against opponents in Johannesburg. Around this time, he also played for the DHL Western Province U21 side in domestic competitions like the Currie Cup U21, where he scored multiple tries, including in a match that helped secure a halftime lead.
Botha's development continued with his inclusion in SA Rugby's inaugural Under-19 Academy intake in October 2024, where he was listed as a lock representing DHL Western Province among a group of 48 talented juniors attending a camp in Stellenbosch.
