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Harlequins land 20 stone Bok prop Louw
By Online Editors
Harlequins have confirmed the signing of South African international tighthead prop Wilco Louw, ahead of the 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership season.
Louw, 25, will trade Cape Town for South-West London this summer following the culmination of the 2020 Super Rugby season. The Springbok, who has 13 test caps to his name, is currently embarking on his fifth Super Rugby campaign having debuted in 2015.
Handed his test debut in 2017 against the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship, Louw adds notable scrummaging expertise and international experience to Harlequins’ 2020/21 Premiership campaign.
The Ceres-born front row forward recently returned from a short stint in the French Top14 with former European Champions Toulon, providing cover during the World Cup, and will make his return to the northern hemisphere with Quins.
Speaking upon signing, Louw said: “I’m really stoked to be heading to England to play for Quins. If you ask any South African player, they all know Harlequins, its reputation is huge.
“It’s a big opportunity for me; Harlequins play an exciting brand of rugby with awesome coaches.
“Gussy has told me to bring my own flavour to Harlequins and I’m really keen to get involved. When I spoke to him in Cape Town, he was really passionate about the future, the guy is full of energy and I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone who talks about rugby and a club with that amount of passion and excitement.”
“I’ve played with André (Esterhuizen) and I know the likes of Stephan (Lewies), so I’m really excited to already have a few friends over there to help me settle in and I’m really looking forward to making new friends at the Club too.”
Paul Gustard, Harlequins’ Head of Rugby, added: “We are delighted with the capture of Wilco for the 2020/21 season. To be successful in the Gallagher Premiership, the importance of a consistently dominant set piece is imperative and you require quality in depth in each of the tight five positions, which is crucial in maintaining competitiveness throughout the season. Wilco has already earned 13 caps for South Africa and is renowned for being a destructive scrummager, highlighted in an impressive 2018 campaign where he earned a league-leading 36 penalties at the scrum in Super Rugby.
“Wilco, at 25, is at a great age to grow with the squad that we are building, and has many years of elite rugby in him. He has the best years of his career ahead of him and I am sure under the tutelage of big Bomb he will continue to improve and get even better. Bordering 130 kilos, he is a big man who loves the nuts and bolts of tighthead work. He moves well around the field for such a big man and he will complement the quality at tighthead we have in England international Will Collier and Simon Kerrod.
“Wilco is a quality individual and comes with very good feedback on his character from all our contacts in South Africa. Having personally flown over after the Saracens game to meet him, I can testify he is without doubt the right fit and has the necessary determination to be a big success in the UK. I know our supporters will welcome him and his partner when they start their next chapter in their adventure.”
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John, McKenzie was 10 years ago and he only lasted 15 months until the disgustingly unfair affair that brought him down. I thought that if he didn't get another gig over Eddie V2 then he was done. I read that he had been approached but declined to put his name in the ring.
There are no potential Wallaby coaches outside of McKellar unless you have some inside info?
Go to commentsThe way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.
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