Louw: Boks driven by pain of defeat

Injured Springbok loose forward Francois Louw says he will have 'divided loyalties' when South Africa play England at Twickenham on Saturday.

The Bath-based Bok flank, who has not played since undergoing neck surgery after being injured against New Zealand in a Rugby Championship match in September, issued a stern warning to his teammates in the English Premiership club.

There are six Bath players in the England matchday 23 – wing Anthony Watson (who will start his first international), centre Kyle Eastmond, prop David Wilson and lock Dave Attwood in the starting XV; with hooker and back George Ford on the bench.

Louw said England will face a "distraught" South African side on Saturday, hell-bent on atoning for their shock loss to Ireland last week.

The 29-year-old Louw, who would have been running out against England for the Boks were it not for the neck surgery, predicts the pain of last weekend's 15-29 loss in Dublin will bring out the abrasive best in South Africa at Twickenham.

"Losing isn't taken lightly by South Africa," said 34-cap Louw, who moved from the Stormers to Bath in 2011.

"It stings very badly.

"I'm very close to the team and the coaches and I'm in almost daily contact with them. Even though I'm not there I still feel the loss as badly.

"I know the boys are distraught after such a loss. South Africa had a very disappointing game.

"I'm very disappointed that I can't be involved but that's how rugby goes sometimes."

With England having also lost last week – 21-24 against the All Blacks – Louw expects fireworks to fly at Twickenham.

And with so many of his Bath teammates in the England squad, Louw admits to a fleeting sense of divided loyalties.

"No team wants to lose at their home ground, their fortress, and England will throw everything at South Africa," he said.

"Both teams will be looking to bounce back and it should be a really good game, because both sides will be so hungry for a victory.

"I'm really happy for my Bath teammates who made the matchday squad, but it's a bit of a Catch 22. I want them to play well but I want South Africa to win.

"Whichever side wins is going to have to put in a clinical performance for 80 minutes. It sounds clichéd, but that's what Test rugby comes down to – who makes the fewest mistakes.

"Both teams will need to keep their discipline and be prepared to grind it out. My prediction would be 18-12 South Africa."

Louw, who underwent neck surgery on September 22 having trapped a nerve playing against New Zealand in the Rugby Championship, is still unable to give a definite date for his return to action.

However, he said he was "aiming" to return for Bath in December.

By Tom Bradshaw, an award-winning freelance sports writer and broadcaster based in England

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