Legend Louw calls time on his career
One of the greatest servants to Bath Rugby in recent memory, Francois Louw, has announced he will retire at the end of the season.
The 34-year-old World Cup-winning back-rower has made 134 starts in 140 appearances over nine seasons for the Blue, Black and Whites, becoming one of the club’s longest serving players.
It has been some season for the 76-cap Springbok, who hung up his boots on the international scene in November by beating England in the final of the Rugby World Cup in Japan to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy.
Louw had weighed up a switch to the fast-growing MLR at the end of the season, but has decided to stay in Bath with his young family to pursue a career in finance having qualified as a financial adviser with the London Institute of Banking and Finance.
Louw said: “Whilst this has been an incredibly tough decision to make, the time does feel right to face a new challenge. Right now, however, my focus is with Bath and I will give everything to the club as our sights are set on making the playoffs and winning further silverware.
“Bath is a city that we call home now. My family and I have settled here and representing the club so many times has been one of the many highlights of my career. My mind is willing [to play on]. My body, however, is telling me it’s time to move on.
“It’s hard in the sense that there are so many things I didn’t achieve. I didn’t win a Currie Cup trophy with Western Province or a Super Rugby final with the Stormers or a Premiership final with Bath. I did win the Rugby Championship and the World Cup with the Boks, though, and that has helped regarding this decision. I can walk away with a full heart.
“I am fully committed to finishing this season with Bath. I’ve had a lot of people asking me about my future, though, so I’ve decided to make a call and to be open about my decision.
“It’s something that my wife and I decided together.
“I’m 34, and I feel like I could have pushed myself to play a couple more seasons. On the other hand, I’ve got to be mindful about the punishment my body has taken over the years. I have the opportunity to go out on my own terms now. Not many players get that chance.”
Louw, who is a regular captain of the Blue, Black and Whites, made his Bath debut on October 22, 2011 in a try-scoring 46-13 victory against Worcester Warriors in the LV Cup, having joined the club from Super Rugby side the Stormers.
Bath director of rugby, Stuart
Hooper, praised the impact the world class Louw has had during nearly a decade in the West Country.
He said: “The contribution Flouw (Francois Louw) has made to our club cannot be overstated. I have had the privilege of being by his side as a player and working with him now as director of rugby, and his experience, commitment and world class skill has been a mainstay of Bath for nine seasons.
“He gives absolutely everything every single time he pulls on the Bath colours – whether on the training ground or on matchday – and we cannot ever ask for more than that.
“These characteristics will serve him well as he moves on from rugby and whilst we wish him the very best for his future, we will all miss him incredibly. Personally, I’m thrilled he has chosen to stay in Bath and will look forward to seeing him at the Rec as well as around the city.”