Louw misses out on first Boks Cup squad
Francois Louw has not been picked for South Africa’s first Rugby World Cup training squad.
While Ulster back-rower Marcell Coetzee has been called up by Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus, 65-cap Bath Rugby flanker Louw is surplus to requirements for now.
However, all hope is not lost as he aims to be part of a third World Cup, in Japan this Autumn. The Boks have to pick a squad of 31 by September 2.
They will add players over the summer and have a shortened, three-match Rugby Championship to contest with New Zealand, Australia and Argentina before facing the Pumas again in their final preparation match in mid-august.
In previous years when Louw has been initially left out, he has been called up for his country after injuries have been suffered.
Ex-saracens hooker Schalk Brits, who is still playing at 38 for the Bulls in Super Rugby, is included in the group assembling in Pretoria, as are star Premiership scrumhalves Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks) and Cobus Reinach (Northampton Saints).
Louw missed six weeks of club action at the end of last season with a foot injury but was able to play the full 80 minutes against Leicester Tigers in the last round of the Gallagher Premiership.
After the 32-31 win at Welford Road, Louw said: “I’m really hoping to be involved with the group (South Africa). We had a great season last year in terms of where we came from in 2016 and 17, which were quite poor seasons for us.
“There’s been a resurgence of energy. The way we’re playing is very aggressive in both attack and defence. The guys are very excited and they’ve bought into it.
“I think we’ve got the squad to perform, we’ve just got to make it happen.”
The Boks play the Wallabies in Johannesburg on July 20, the All Blacks in Wellington on July 27, the Pumas on August 10 in Salta and again on August 17 in Pretoria.