BJ Botha set to join Munster

NEWS ROUND-UP:BJ BOTHA is set to join Munster on a two-year contract from next season. The 31-year-old Springbok tight-head is out of contract at the end of his three-year deal with Ulster, and has been lined up by Munster in the wake of Tony Buckley's impending departure to Sale and John Hayes' expected retirement at the end of the year.

Indeed, Munster (who had sanctioned a one-year contract offer to Buckley) had apparently lined up Botha all along as a solution to their scrum difficulties in recent times and his likely arrival – to be confirmed imminently – represents quite a coup for Magners League leaders, who would still have another overseas vacancy in the wake of Paul Warwick’s departure to Stade Francais next season, alongside Doug Howlett, Lifeimi Mafi and Peter Borlase.

Meanwhile, Christchurch may not be able to host its 2011 Rugby World Cup matches following the earthquake that killed at least 75 people, the region’s leading rugby official said.

“Right now it doesn’t feel like we could host very much at all,” said Hamish Riach, chief executive officer of the Canterbury RFU.

New Zealand’s second-largest city is scheduled to stage seven games at AMI Stadium during the September 9th to October 23rd.