Bulls star ‘will be difficult’ for Rassie Erasmus to ignore while Johan Ackermann claims big Wilco Louw call ‘based on performance’
Bulls forwards Bulls Wilco Louw and Cameron Hanekom (INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Deon van der Merwe/EPCR Rugby) and an inset of Johan Grobbelaar.
Johan Ackermann has explained why he has named Wilco Louw on the bench for the Bulls’ United Rugby Championship semi-final against Glasgow Warriors at Murrayfield and praised the performances of hooker Johan Grobbelaar.
Louw is widely regarded as one of the most devastating scrummagers in the game, and his absence in the matchday 23 should have been a hammer blow for the Bulls last weekend in the quarter-final.
However, his replacement Francois Klopper rose to the occasion and put in a sterling shift, particularly at scrum time. The 26-year-old has duly been backed to start against Glasgow this weekend, even though Louw is healthy again after missing the win over Munster due to illness.
Bulls tighthead rewarded
Very few teams, if any, could afford the luxury of benching a talent like Louw, but Ackermann is confident that Klopper can produce another strong performance from the first whistle.
“It’s based on his performances,” the Bulls boss replied when asked whether the decision was a tactical one.
“He did his part in the games when we didn’t have access to Wilco, and then even now when Wilco was ill, Kloppies showed that he can perform well.”
Last year, Louw featured regularly off the bench for the Springboks with Thomas du Toit frequently taking the starting jumper, so the role isn’t foreign to the tighthead prop who is joined by fellow internationals Marco van Staden and Jan-Hendrik Wessels as the front-row reserves.
“We just felt that it’s good to keep that momentum going. He’s match fit and is raring to go,” Ackermann added on Klopper.
“Hopefully, Wilco and the rest of the bench can be in the position where they can finish the game.
“We obviously don’t know how the second half is going to pan out, but hopefully, we don’t chase the game. If so, then hopefully the bench can do it for us. If we don’t need it, somebody with Wilco’s quality can come on and prove his quality. It’s more a reward for Kloppies for how he’s performed.”
Bulls back 11 Springboks to start Glasgow semi-final as intriguing Wilco Louw decision made
Staying on the topic of front-rowers, hooker Grobbelaar will earn his 150th appearance for the Bulls in Saturday’s fixture. The 28-year-old has been a consistent performer during his time with the Bulls but has struggled to cement a spot in the Springboks squad.
He was overlooked for the July internationals last year as well as the Rugby Championship but was recalled for the end-of-year tour and added three caps to his tally. His performance against Glasgow in the semi-final will be in the spotlight following Malcolm Marx’s setback, with the 2025 World Rugby Player of the Year missing the Kubota Spears’ Japan Rugby League One final through injury.
Johan Grobbelaar can’t be ignored
He has now emerged as an injury doubt for the Nations Championship matches against England, Scotland and Wales, with Grobbelaar seen as one of the frontrunners to fill his void. Bulls boss Ackermann spoke highly of his front-rower and says that Erasmus won’t be able to overlook him this time around.
“It’s been a privilege for me to work with Grobbies; it is my first year with him, but I’ve always admired the way he has played; the effort and commitment that he has shown on the field,” he said.
“It was evident when I started work with him that he is a guy who doesn’t speak a lot, but he just puts his heart and soul out for the jersey and for his teammates on the field.
“I was so glad for him when he got the recognition to go on the end-of-year tour last year. He got those opportunities, and he played so well that I think it will be difficult to keep him out of the squad because of his performances. He is so consistent; that’s what makes him so nice to work with, and I’m not talking about just performance on the field; I’m talking about off the field and who he is as a person, a humble guy.
“You hardly ever get a bad training session from him. He’s always working so hard, and it’s a great milestone, and I’m so pleased for him, but he will be the first to say that the semi-final is the most important thing.”
READ MORE: United Rugby Championship semi-finals: Predictions, teams, kick-off times, TV coverage and more
