Springbok tighthead Wilco Louw is eager to resume his friendly rivalry with Scotland loosehead Pierre Schoeman at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. CLINTON VAN DER BERG reports.
Louw, who will win his 30th cap this weekend, returns to the side after a tough start to the year that saw him take time away from the squad to be with family.
“It’s been a difficult and challenging year,” he said. “It’s incredible being part of a team that supports you through every phase of life, not just when you’ve got the boots on.”
Louw paid tribute to his late father Marius, who died in April.
“We were unbelievable friends; he instilled a love of rugby in me. This will be my first Test without my dad. It was so sad to lose him, but I’m thankful for him. It’s a privilege to represent him in the things I do.”
He also revealed he had battled a lingering flu through the closing rounds of the Vodacom URC season, but said he is now fully fit.
“I’m feeling a lot better now, healthy again, and it’s a privilege.”
TOWNSEND: Boks provide the toughest test
Up front, Louw expects a stern test from a Scotland pack he described as well-coached and physical, pointing to their dominant scrum performance against Argentina last weekend.
“They’ve got proper players up front, a physical pack,” he said. “A lot of their scores came from direct forward play. They’ve never been an easy pack to scrummage.”
There is also a personal sub-plot to the match: Louw will renew his rivalry with close friend and Scotland prop Pierre Schoeman, a duel he said he relishes despite the on-field intensity.
“Pierre’s a good friend and an incredible player,” Louw said. “It’s always nice playing against him.”
Off the field, the match carries extra weight for Louw as his final Test at Loftus while contracted to the Bulls, the union he has represented for the past three seasons after previous stints with the Stormers and in England.
“I’ve got a soft spot for this place,” he said. “They looked after me really well, especially when my family needed me. Loftus is a fortress, not just for the Bulls but for South Africa.”
MOODIE: Boks to make Scots feel it
Despite his growing experience, Louw was quick to downplay any added burden of seniority in the front row.
“There’s always pressure, no matter how many caps you have,” he said. “It’s about how you handle it and focus on the task at hand.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Big Wilco braces for battle with mate appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Springbok tighthead Wilco Louw is eager to resume his friendly rivalry with Scotland loosehead Pierre Schoeman at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
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