The 27-year-old has joined the Welsh region from Guinness PRO14 rivals Cheetahs and hopes to transform his new team’s scrum into a real weapon.
Botha boasts a reputation as a formidable set-piece specialist and plans to emulate the success of former Wales ace Jones as well as filling the void left by Dimitri Arhip’s move to Cardiff Blues.
“I always rated Adam as one of the best scrummagers in the world. If you think of a perfect and natural number three, what you think of is Adam,” Botha said.
“He was a tighthead who dominated the circuit around the world and he was one of the best there ever was. I will have to try to improve my game and focus on myself and see how I can get better.
“My passion is scrummaging and I love every single bit of it. My aim is to reach the heights of Adam.”
Botha had a taste of the PRO14 last season in what was the Cheetahs’ first campaign in the competition.
The South African outfit had an impressive debut and now Botha hopes to continue his fine individual form in Welsh rugby.
The man from Bellville in Cape Town hopes to lay a solid forward platform for Allen Clarke’s side so star summer back signings Scott Williams and George North can be unleashed.
“In Super Rugby they use the scrum mainly as a way of getting the ball out and restarting play,” Botha said. “In the PRO14 it’s a fight to achieve dominance and that’s something I enjoy.
“I prefer the PRO14 to Super Rugby. I like the forward battle with the scrums and mauls because it’s more my type of game.”
