Winning the World Cup made it right time to go
The Rugby Paper|June 28, 2020
After nearly 400 games for club and country, South Africa and Bath star Francois Louw has called it a day. The World Cup-winning back row offers NEALE HARVEY his views on his career, the state of world rugby and what the future holds for himself and Bath.
FRANCOIS LOUW
Winning the World Cup made it right time to go

How do you reflect on your career?

It really was the fairy tale journey. Being a young South African boy with hopes of playing professionally, playing for Western Province was the initial dream. I achieved that in my second year out of school and the rest is history.

Rugby has taken me to the UK, where I’ve fallen in love with Bath and spent the most time at one club, and as a family we’ve thoroughly enjoyed our time here. To play for a club like Bath with all its history and heritage, everything has been awesome.

Obviously, I wish we could have taken the Premiership title when we reached the final in 2015. It wasn’t to be but I really am retiring with a full and content heart. That year was particularly disappointing because South Africa lost a World Cup semi-final by two points to New Zealand as well, but I got my winner’s medal last year in Japan and it’s the right time to hang up my boots.

To cap things off that way against England in Yokohama after losing your opening game to New Zealand, how do you assess that World Cup now?

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 28, 2020-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 28, 2020-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE RUGBY PAPERAlle anzeigen
England can find a little bit of cheer
The Rugby Paper

England can find a little bit of cheer

SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
The Rugby Paper

Stop messing with Marcus - Campese

DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
The Rugby Paper

Being a Lion was the highlight of my career

I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
The Rugby Paper

Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half

THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
The Rugby Paper

Forwards pack a punch for the Reds

OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
The Rugby Paper

Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley

SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
The Rugby Paper

Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon

FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
The Rugby Paper

It's a whole new ball game for Rigg

WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt leads the way for Lightning

LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
The Rugby Paper

Becconsall: We need to release pressure

WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024