Gold Talks: Reece Botha on Growth, Grit, and Gearing Up for RFC Los Angeles

Mar 20 — 2025

An exclusive interview with Reece Botha

Reece Botha has been a key playmaker for NOLA Gold, entering his third season with the team. In this GOLD Talks interview, he shares how he’s evolved as a player, the team’s focus on discipline, and how they’re preparing for a tough matchup against RFC Los Angeles. From his childhood passion for rugby in South Africa to his game-day rituals (including journaling and coffee walks with his puppy), Reece gives us an inside look at his journey, his inspirations, and what’s driving NOLA Gold forward this season. Plus, don’t miss his rapid-fire takes on everything from favorite childhood shows to his top game-day pet peeves!

Q: It’s your third year with the Gold. In what way do you feel you’ve evolved most as a player?

Reece Botha: Working with the team and the coaches has helped me develop my game each year. I can see the big picture better, and my playcalling has improved. Coming into my first professional contract year to where I am now, I feel like I’m a completely different player, and I’m just looking forward to continuing to grow with this team and our players.

Q: Coming off of last week’s match, penalties were a big factor. What has the team been working on in practice to minimize the penalties in the future?

Reece Botha: Like you said, the penalties cost us. There are too many silly penalties—we call them DAPs (dumba** penalties)—making it easy for teams to get into our 22. So, we’ve driven this last week by holding ourselves accountable and ensuring that our foot is behind the line for offsides. Even though we’re not running full contact during training, we’re making sure we’re using the techniques and the small details correctly so that they translate into the game.

Q: You’ve been playing rugby since you were 6 years old. What first drew you to the sport and motivated you to continue?

Reece Botha: Back in South Africa, it’s how football is here in the States. From the youngest age I can remember, I was screaming with my family at the TV for the South African national team to win, so that passion translated into my playing. Growing up as a young kid, you have those dreams of making it in professional sport, and rugby was my choice. And it’s not just the sport itself; it’s the environment you grow up in. I don’t think there’s anything like a rugby team or rugby locker room. Just being able to stay in that as long as I can, I think that’s something that drives me too.

Q: How do you build chemistry with your inside and outside centers to ensure the attack flows smoothly?

Reece Botha:With the new players we’ve got coming in, like Isaac and Niko, and then the returning players, such as JP, it’s just about connections off the field. We try to get to know each other better by meeting up as frequently as possible, which translates a lot on the field with our communication. We just learn how each player plays their own game and find the best way for us to gel as one and make that work on the field.

Q: How have other players influenced your style of play?

Reece Botha:Growing up, I always looked up to a player named Francois Steyn. He was a South African player with really big kicking boots. That was someone I idolized growing up. The adjustments from watching the players when I was younger to playing with some of the guys you’ve looked up to is a big transition. Look at those guys not necessarily as heroes you idolize but as a teammate and someone you can talk to. It has been a little bit of an adjustment, but it’s been exciting because learning from these guys has been one of the main reasons I’ve been able to develop the way I am as a player. Having these experienced guys who played years of rugby that I’d like to play and just learning how they’ve done things or how they attack the game, I feel like that’s been good for my own game.

Q: What’s one thing you’re looking out for against RFC Los Angeles?

Reece Botha: We know that they have a really good attack. They like to run from anywhere on the field, so we have a big emphasis on defense this week. We know we’re gonna have to make a lot of tackles. They have a few key players in the back: Christian Leali’ifano and Billy Meakes, some big-name players who have played in the game for a while. We know that those are gonna be some key players for them on their attack and their defense, so we are just looking to shock them out of the game if we can and use any mistakes they make to capitalize for ourselves.

Q: You mentioned going through the game plan as part of your pre-match rituals. Can you walk us through how you prepare mentally before each match?

Reece Botha: Before each match, my puppy and I walk to the coffee shop. It’s a pretty stressful day, so any way I can get my mind off the game, I try to do that just because I don’t like to psych myself up too early. I’ve gotten pretty big into journaling these last two years. We had a mental coach come in last year, and he just spoke about writing down a few things you look forward to and a few things you are working on. I try to do that just before the game to keep it in my mind so I don’t forget about them. Then I try to listen to any music I feel for the day. I feel like that always soothes me a little bit. Once I get into the stadium, I review the attack menu and some key points we’ve discussed for the week to have them fresh in my mind. Finally, I just get around the guys, make sure everybody is on the same page, and prepare for the game.

Q: With such a long history in rugby, what’s been the most defining moment of your career so far?
?

Reece Botha: I would have to say signing with NOLA Gold because it’s been a dream of mine to play professional rugby my whole life. When I finally got the offer to play and take on that dream, it was probably one of the more exciting days of my life. It’s been great, and it’s a special memory that I hold. I’m just looking forward to continuing my career as long as possible.

Q: What will be the keys to victory for this upcoming match?

Reece Botha:Although we didn’t get the result we were looking for against Union, I think there was much to take out. I think we’ve got to keep the boy’s mentality around the physical side of the game, like running into contact and running into the rucks. Then, we are just trying to bounce back. We’ve had three tough losses on the bounce, so I’m looking forward to trying to turn this season around. I think the boys are hungry for a win. We haven’t played at home in a while, which is a big factor. Getting to play in front of a home crowd is always special. We know how much the NOLA Gold fans get behind us, so we try to make them proud as much as we do ourselves.

Q: How do you think the team’s dynamics have changed since you first joined three years ago, and what makes this season feel different?

Reece Botha: I think it’s league-wide, but since I’ve joined, I have thought the environment is a lot more professional. We’ve got a lot more coaches and trainers. The boy’s mindset alone is also a bit more professional, which has helped us focus on the goal this year. Every year, the goal is to win the championship, but when the environment suits that, it helps a lot. NOLA has always set the bar pretty high with the locker room environment. The boys are just ensuring there are no egos in the locker room, everyone gets along, and everyone can speak to anyone. I think that’s a big factor because those locker room divides can often fall into the game, so we do a great job of ensuring everyone is on the same page and aiming for the same goal.

Rapid fire questions

What’s your favorite thing to cook?

I’ve started nailing lamb chops and mashed potatoes.

Favorite childhood show?

Probably Phineas & Ferb.

If you could meet any rugby player, who would it be?

Quade Cooper

What is your biggest pet peeve?

People who chew with their mouths open.

Which is worse for a rugby match? Sweltering heat or freezing cold?

I’ve played in the snow before in college. That wasn’t fun, but even with the snow and the cold, I would have to say it’s tough when it gets warm down here in NOLA.

Blue cheese or Ranch?

Ranch. I’m a big ranch fella. We don’t get that much in South Africa, so it was pretty eye-opening when I first tasted it.

With the next match in sight, NOLA Gold is focused on tightening their game and maintaining discipline on the field. Reece Botha’s growth as a playmaker and leader reflects the team’s commitment to continuous improvement, both mentally and physically. But the attention now turns to the next test—RFC Los Angeles. Known for their fast-paced attack and experienced playmakers, LA will challenge NOLA’s defensive structure and resilience. It’s shaping up to be a high-intensity matchup, and NOLA will need precision, physicality, and home crowd energy to secure the win.

Stay tuned for more exclusive Gold Talk interviews as we follow NOLA GOLD’s journey through the season! Plus, don’t miss out on the action—get your tickets now and cheer on NOLA GOLD at their next home match on March 22!