Audio: 'Flo' the teacher

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: The return of Francois ‘Flo’ Louw has added an additional mentoring facet to the Springboks camp.

Without revealing too much, Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed that Francois Louw will be a prominent figure for the first four Rugby Championship fixtures.

Louw’s presence in the squad and possible place in the starting XV for Saturday’s fixture against Argentina does mean that the Boks will have to readjust their loose forward combinations.

While it hasnt been confirmed, Erasmus did mention that Louw, who can slot into all three loose forward positions will start at openside flank.

While Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will move to the blindside and Warren Whiteley, in the absence of Duane Vermeulen, will slot into No.8.

“The understanding with [Louw] and his club [Bath] is that we will have him from the beginning of the Rugby Championship,” Erasmus said.

“There are not arrangements, but there are understandings. We can have the guys available in every single Test match, but we also want to be reasonable and make sure that the guys stay positive.

“A guy like Flo is so keen to play for the Boks, from last year already. I think in the first four games we’ll use him as much as we can, and let guys like Cyle [Brink] and Marco [Van Staden] learn as much from him as possible,”

With Vermeulen missing the Rugby Championship campaign due to club commitments in Japan, Louw’s experience and expertise is a major part of his inclusion in the team.

“Flo is more than ready for that job. We’ve spoken to the other players and they must suck up everything he can give to them and he is willing to help.

“We have a plan and everyone has bought into it,”

@rugby365com