Springbok 'newcomer' could play first Test since 2021

Springbok ‘newcomer’ could play first Test since 2021

Wilco Louw has received a long-awaited call up to the Springboks’ squad, with his last Test appearance having come in August of 2021.

Springbok prop Wilco Louw. Image: Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePix

On Thursday the Springboks confirmed that Wilco Louw had been called up to the end-of-year squad following the injury withdrawal of utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

Louw has been in outstanding form for the Bulls since rejoining the Pretoria-based side last year, and he could now finally make a return to the international arena.

The 30-year-old has featured in 14 Tests during his career, having played most regularly over 2017 and 2018.

The powerful prop then featured in just one Test in 2019, and one in 2021, before falling into the international wilderness.

It’s unlikely Louw will feature in either of the first two Tests in November – against Scotland and England – but there is a very good chance he could feature in the season-ending encounter against Wales.

Louw has been called up along with hooker Johan Grobbelaar, who has been a regular member of the Springbok squad this season, and started the Tests against Portugal in Bloemfontein and Australia in Perth.

The Springboks will depart for a training camp in Jersey, the largest of the largest of the Channel Islands between England and France, on Sunday 27 October. The group will then make the journey to Edinburgh on Sunday 3 November for their opening Test of the tour.

The Boks will face Scotland in Edinburgh (Sunday 10 November), England in London (Saturday 16 November) and Wales in Cardiff (Saturday 23 November) on their traditional end-of-year tour.

Wilco Louw and Johan Grobbelaar form part of a powerful Springbok squad

Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls).

Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster).

Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers).

Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).