Springbok No 8 Elrigh Louw says the perception that it is a “B-team” playing the Wallabies in Perth tomorrow is the perfect motivation for the world champions.
Coach Rassie Erasmus made 10 changes to the starting team that walloped the Wallabies 33-7 at Suncorp Stadium last week, with Louw one of five players who have retained their place in the run-on XV.
In the pack, Pieter-Steph du Toit is the other starter from Brisbane, while in the backline, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Jesse Kriel and Cheslin Kolbe continue.
“There are players that will start most of the games, but I don’t see it as an ‘A’ and a ‘B’ team – and I think the squad doesn’t see it in that manner,” Louw said this week.
“But if people want to call us a B-team then it excites us to go out there on Saturday and show the people what a B-team can do,” Louw said, smiling.
“The truth is this is an opportunity to build some squad depth and build experience as a pack and as a team.
“Even with the changes that coach Rassie made for this weekend, I think we are hungry and we are ready to put in another solid performance.
“You can easily be lured into a false sense of security once you beat a team, and you have to back that performance up.
“We want to be the first and the second best team in the world, and I think that’s what we’re striving for. So, this weekend is an opportunity to put ourselves in a good position in the Rugby Championship.
“We’ve got a plan, and I think we just have to execute it,” said Louw, who made 15 carries (the second-most for the Boks) in his 56 minutes at the Suncorp Stadium before being replaced by Kwagga Smith.
Louw was capped three times off the bench in 2022, and after being overlooked last year, he was recalled to the match-day 23 for the Portugal game a month ago.
The 24-year-old believes the Wallabies will be a different kettle of fish tomorrow at Optus Stadium (11.45am start, SA time).
“The Wallabies will definitely come back better,” Louw said. “They’ll sharpen up their game, and we’re ready for that.”
The Wallabies have recalled experienced wing Marika Koroibete and scrumhalf Nic White.
White has a knack for getting under the skin of the opposition, and caused a mass brawl between the sides in Sydney in 2022.
“For us, it will be important not to 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 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 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 play my game.”
Rassie 𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘴
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 14, 2024
Episode 7: Rassie on the perfect player.
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Louw has another excellent opportunity to state his case for the hotly-contested No 8 position. Jasper Wiese is almost over his suspension, while Evan Roos is recovering from surgery. Smith has also started at the back of the scrum on several occasions.
“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.
Lou will be part of the important 8-9-10 axis tomorrow, and is looking forward to working with scrumhalf Morné van den Berg, who will be starting a Test for the first time.
“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.”
Wallaby Team
15 Tom Wright 14 Andrew Kellaway 13 Len Ikitau 12 Hunter Paisami 11 Marika Koroibete 10 Noah Lolesio 9 Nic White 8 Harry Wilson 7 Carlo Tizzano 6 Rob Valetini 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 4 Angus Blyth 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain) 2 Josh Nasser 1 Angus Bell.
Bench: 16 Billy Pollard 17 James Slipper 18 Zane Nonggorr 19 Tom Hooper 20 Seru Uru 21 Tate McDermott 22 Ben Donaldson 23 Max Jorgensen.