Springbok No 8 Elrigh Louw, who will earn his second start for the team on Saturday when they face the Wallabies at the Optus Stadium in Perth, said they were raring to go in anticipation of a massive onslaught from the hosts down under following the Boks’ 33-7 victory in Brisbane last weekend.
Louw, who was one of only five players to retain their places in Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’ starting team from the last Test, as the coach made 10 changes to the matchday team, was excited about the clash and the opportunity to start once again, and he hoped to make the most of every opportunity to start in the green and gold jersey.
“The Wallabies will definitely come back better,” said Louw.
“They’ll sharpen up their game and we’re ready for that. For us it will be important not be caught out by their tactics and plans, so we just have to go out there and execute our game to the best of our ability.”
Louw was delighted about earning his sixth Test cap and second start in a row and said: “I certainly got a bit of confidence from last week with my first start and I know what to expect this week. I can’t really change much in the way I play, but I can go out there and give my best for the team.
“Everyone has a role to play in the team, and looking back in my career, there isn’t much of a difference between playing No 8 and flanker. As a player I just like to have my hands on the ball and to try to play my game.”
With intense competition for places in the Bok No 8 position with Jasper Wiese set to return from his suspension and Evan Roos, who is currently recovering from surgery, also staking a claim for the position in the next few years, Louw said he understood the bigger picture in the team and that for him it was a case of doing his best when he receives a chance to play.
“We are all aligned in terms of the team plans and as coach Rassie said, he wants to build squad depth and expose some players to Top-tier rugby, so my goal this weekend is to do my best and to use this chance,” he said.
Louw was excited about linking up with scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, who will earn his first Test start this weekend: “We played together a little in the Test against Portugal, but we’ve trained well together this week, and that gives us confidence going into the game.”
