With one eye on a return to the national team, Vodacom Bulls prop Wilco Louw believes there will still be opportunities for the Springboks to dominate rival packs under rugby’s law changes.
Last week, World Rugby approved a series of law amendments, effective 1 July, 2024, targeting key areas such as offside from kicks, free-kick options and player welfare concerns.
Among the changes is that teams will no longer have the option to choose a scrum from a free-kick, emphasising the imperative of keeping the ball in motion.
The change has been interpreted as an attempt to limit the influence of scrums in the international game, especially as it comes after the Boks used the set piece as a weapon to successfully defend South Africa’s World Cup title last year.
Speaking in a Bulls conference in the buildup to a Pretoria clash against Benetton in the Vodacom URC on Saturday, Louw emphasised that formidable front rows won’t be denied a chance to do battle between the whitelines.
“There will still be knocks in the game. They won’t take scrums away completely. That’s only one part they have tried to change,” he told reporters.
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“But I think there will be more than enough opportunities to make your mark in the scrums.
“The teams won’t have fewer knock-ons in the game, so there will still be opportunities. You will just have to use the opportunities better.
“Where you could’ve scrummed more and used it more as a weapon, you now have to pick your battles because there will be fewer scrums.
“However, if you use your opportunities, you can still stamp your authority.”
Louw won the last of his 14 Test caps in 2019, and his focus on the Bulls is part of a bigger goal to pack down for the reigning world champions again.
On the back of several standout performances, the 29-year-old scrum plough earned a call-up to a Bok workshop in March.
“We looked at the bigger picture, where we are and where the Springboks want to be,” he said.
“There is still a lot of rugby left to play, but as I said, it will always remain a big dream and a privilege if I get there again.
“If you play good rugby for your union and enjoy it, then the opportunity is there.”
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
The post Bok scrum beast unfazed by new laws appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
With one eye on a return to the national team, Bulls prop Wilco Louw believes there will still be chances for the Boks to dominate rival packs under rugby’s law changes.
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