Elrigh Louw says Pieter-Steph du Toit’s willingness to go above and beyond on national duty against the All Blacks serves as a great example for the Springbok rookies. DYLAN JACK reports.
Du Toit showed his versatility in South Africa’s comeback victory over the All Blacks, starting at lock after an injury scare around Eben Etzebeth and shifting to the back row during the clash in Johannesburg.
Louw is no stranger to moving around the pack, having spent the earlier parts of his career at lock, before being utilised at blindside flank and No 8 at the Vodacom Bulls.
As he continues to develop himself as a utility forward of sorts, Louw can look to no better example that the 2019 World Player of the Year.
“Just the way he handles himself, how he just accepts to play any position on the field,” Louw said, when asked about Du Toit’s influence during a press conference in Cape Town.
“It’s not a big issue for him to play at No 4, 5 or 7. It’s a great example for us youngsters. He never turns his nose up at working for the team on the day.”
Louw was among a contingent of Bok rookies who got their first taste of rugby’s greatest rivalry when they tackled the All Blacks for the first time in their respective careers.
Having been schooled in Vanderbijlpark – around an hour’s drive from Ellis Park – Louw was delighted to get in on the action, as the Springboks came from behind to claim a thrilling win.
“For me, it was a dream come true, to play the All Blacks at Ellis Park. It was a massive, massive day for me,” he said. “It’s number one at this stage in all my rugby highlights.
“It doesn’t get much better than facing the All Blacks at Ellis Park and coming back to get the win.”
Part of the Bomb Squad that was called on to rescue the game after the Boks fell 10 points behind, Louw made a pleasing impact, which included sidestepping All Blacks wing Mark Telea from a kick-off.
“Look, we are always trying to evolve our game,” Louw said. “The people were shouting at me, ‘Why didn’t I pass?’, but I just told them one thing at a time.
“I can’t step and then pass at the same time,” he added with a chuckle.
When asked about what made the difference for the Boks in Johannesburg, Louw said he and his teammates may have just had more in the tank than their opponents.
“We were prepared to play 80 minutes. We had good energy from the bench,” he said. “I don’t think they were tired, I just think we were prepared to play the whole 80 and things went our way.”
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
