Wilco Louw Returns to Stormers With Emotional ‘I’m Home’ Message
- Wilco Louw is set to make his long-awaited Stormers return, adding another intriguing layer to Saturday’s Sharks derby
- John Dobson has explained why Louw’s return to the Stormers setup felt almost instantly familiar after years away
- The Springbok prop has already given the Stormers a memorable message as he prepares to wear the jersey again after 2020
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Source: Getty Images
Wilco Louw is back in Stormers colours, and his return has already produced one of the most memorable moments of the team’s preparations for Saturday’s Sharks derby. The Springbok prop is set to make his first appearance for the Cape Town side since 2020 after being named in John Dobson’s match-day 23.
Louw’s return comes as the Stormers bring back 11 Springboks for the United Rugby Championship clash. Yet according to Dobson, the tighthead prop needed little time to settle back into his old surroundings.
“Wilco walks in and just says, ‘I’m home.’ It just felt absolutely normal, and they were fully engaged,” Dobson said on Wednesday.
Wilco Louw walks back into the Stormers setup
The 32-year-old has not played for the Stormers since 2020, making Saturday’s meeting with the Sharks a significant return to the club.
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Dobson acknowledged that the Stormers have not had much time to build cohesion with their returning internationals. However, the coach believes Louw and the other Springboks have quickly understood what is expected of them.
“On cohesion, the guys have fitted in,” Dobson said. “We got them in for separate sessions before and aligned them with our game plan.”
Louw was among the players who immediately bought into the team’s plans, with Dobson describing his return as feeling completely natural.
Springbok return adds weight to Sharks derby
Louw will be joined by several other returning Springboks, including Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cobus Reinach. Siya Kolisi moves to blindside flank, while Paul de Villiers returns and Deon Fourie provides experienced cover.
For Louw, though, the focus will be on completing a comeback that has been years in the making.
Dobson said the Stormers had used separate sessions and an alignment camp to help the returning players reconnect with the team’s approach.
The coach’s assessment was summed up by Louw himself when he arrived back at the Stormers: “I’m home.”
The Stormers will face the Sharks at DHL Stadium on Saturday, with Louw’s return giving the derby an additional storyline.
Source: Getty Images
Wilco Louw and Ox Nché set for scrum battle
Briefly News also reported that Wilco Louw’s return to the Stormers could set up an intriguing Springbok-on-Springbok battle in the front row when the Sharks visit Cape Town.
Sharks prop Ox Nché is relishing the challenge but insists the contest will not be about individual bragging rights.
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Source: Briefly News
