Bath Rugby

Butch James joined Bath Rugby in November 2007, shortly after winning the World Cup with South Africa in France.

The fly-half made six appearances at the tournament, including the quarter-final, semi-final and final, as the Springboks won the Webb Ellis Trophy for the second time.

He settled quickly at Bath and showed his class in the 17 appearances he made during the 2007-08 season. He was denied further involvement in Bath’s campaign when he dislocated his shoulder at Saracens in January.

Despite the setback, he quickly forged an exciting half-back partnership with compatriot Michael Claassens and went on to win his first silverware with Bath, the European Challenge Cup, in May 2008.

James has since gone on to become a real fans’ favourite thanks to his inspirational and creative attacking play and his unforgiving defensive work.

He has won 35 caps for South Africa, scoring 146 points, and appeared in 27 matches for Bath in 2008-09, contributing 259 points. Unfortunately, the former Sharks man – who has both Super 12 and Super 14 runners-up medals – suffered a serious knee injury towards the end of the season and missed Bath’s Guinness Premiership semi-final defeat to Leicester.