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Louw capture the latest example of Quins following Sale's South African model
Harlequins have continued to bolster their squad ahead of next season with the signing of Stormers and Springboks prop Wilco Louw.
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The 25-year-old is the London club’s second signing so far this season following the announcement of fellow Springbok Andre Esterhuizen. Paul Gustard also brought three more South Africans to the Stoop last summer, Stephan Lewies, Simon Kerrod and Travis Ismaiel.
The 13-cap Louw will serve as a perfect replacement at tighthead for Kyle Sinckler, who will be moving to Bristol Bears next summer.
This approach of recruiting South African players is not new in the Gallagher Premiership as Sale Sharks brought in six players for the 2019/20 season.
The du Preez brothers, Robert, Dan and Jean-Luc all arrived as well as Akker van der Merwe, Lood de Jager and Coenie Oosthuizen to join the likes of Faf de Klerk and Rohan Janse van Rensburg who were already at the AJ Bell Stadium.
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With the South African Rugby Union scrapping its policy of only selecting players based in South Africa, or with a certain number of caps, there has been an exodus in recent times and Sale have been beneficiaries.
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With clubs consistently trying to work within the salary cap, South Africa is effectively an untapped resource as wages are not be as high as having an English player in the squad.
So Harlequins going all Sale Sharks now with all the South Africans they getting for next season.
— Wiehanndup (@wiehanndup) February 13, 2020
Part of English rugby's problem right here.
— Kevin Thompson (@KevT0M0) February 13, 2020
Good signing, but does this mean all Prem clubs are now going to follow the Sale model, ie fill the ranks with massive SA's because they won't play in the 6 Nations so will be available for whole season. Not sure this is great development with regards nurturing English talent.
— Saltysnowflake (@EricAnbo) February 13, 2020
The added bonus is that these players will not be away during the Six Nations, meaning there is more game time for the players from the southern hemisphere.
However, the growing concern for supporters of English clubs – and England rugby – is that the drive to recruit players from South Africa may stultify the growth of younger homegrown players.
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Oh dear another influx of SA players feel coming, not another Sale Sharks please! ?
— Calcutta Cup Winner #itscominghome???????? (@Stuart_E40) February 13, 2020
Another PRL side bringing in South Africans rather than developing EQP.
— karen Wright (@RuggerHugger70) February 13, 2020
If a club wants to achieve as much success as possible, the logical option is to load their team with as many quality players as they can and the avenue of buying South African players seems to be the best option at the moment.
France had to introduce a new ruling in which clubs are required to have a minimum number of French players in their squad, as the Top 14’s wealth meant national players had been ousted by big signings from abroad.
Rohan Janse van Rensburg talks genes, @SaleSharksRugby and wanting to be rep the @Springboks once again
– with @chrisjonespress ???https://t.co/2ee0j0RhRr
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 13, 2020
The English game could well be going in that direction as well. Having said that, Quins will still have a large contingent of English players next season despite the departures of Sinckler and Chris Robshaw.
Rumours are also circulating that World Rugby player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit may be moving to south-west London as well. While that will be beneficial to the squad and the players around him, it will only raise more concerns.
WATCH: RugbyPass Rugby Explorer takes a trek through South African rugby, stopping off in the rugby communities of Port Elizabeth and Cape Town
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments