Bulls expects ‘typical French game’ from Lyon
WILCO Louw packs a mean punch – and that’s just in the scrums.
You probably couldn’t find a nicer tighthead prop on and off the field. Okay, Frans Malherbe is of a similar ilk.
But while these scrum gurus don’t talk much, they roar in the scrums.
The 29-year-old Louw has been a rock for the Bulls this season after spending a few years at Harlequins in England.
Louw, who is 126kg of prime Ceres beef, began his senior career at Loftus Versfeld before returning to his native Western Cape at the Stormers.
That is where he became a Springbok, but his time overseas has moulded Louw into virtually a complete No 3.
Now he does so much more than just scrum as he carries the ball strongly and makes a number of big tackles.
But it is his prowess in the scrums that has brought much stability to the Bulls pack, and will form the cornerstone of their effort to knock over Lyon in Saturday’s Champions Cup last-16 play-off at Loftus (1.30pm kick-off).
Last week’s 47-14 URC defeat to Leinster in Dublin was a tough night at the office, but the Bulls will hope to hit back straight away this weekend.
“They are a French team, so they are good in the set pieces and have a very good scrum and maul, and they have backs who can run with the ball,” Louw said this week. “… They will want to play a typical French game – to scrum and maul well – so we will have to be up for it in the scrums and mauls.”
Louw’s performances will hopefully result in a Springbok recall this year, where he will hope to add to his 14 Test caps. “It will always be a big dream to play for the Boks,” he said.
Meanwhile, coach Jake White has confirmed that flank Marco van Staden won’t feature against Lyon due to the knee injury he sustained in Dublin. He will hope No 8 Cameron Hanekom recovers from his hamstring injury.