VIDEO: Bok's plan during long injury lay-off
Springbok Elrigh Louw might not be on the field in 2025, but the loose forward is eager to take on a new role while he mends from injury.
Louw will only return to action early in 2026 after he sustained a horrific knee injury in January.
The 25-year-old damaged ligaments in his left knee and also broke his leg during the Bulls’ United Rugby Championship victory over the Lions.
There were concerns that it could be career-ending for the versatile loose forward, who has 13 Springboks caps.
However, the surgery was successful, and the star revealed that rehabilitation is going much better than expected.
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“The recovery is going as well as it can at the moment. I am definitely ahead of schedule,” Louw told reporters on Thursday at the launch of the Springboks’ latest partnership with South African Olympian Caster Semenya and a well-known household brand in Johannesburg.
“I’m going to get rid of the crutches in the next couple of weeks, then the brace, and then I’ll be walking, and life will be a little bit normal.”
He added: “I’ll be back next year February – that’s my target.”
The star admitted that the setback hasn’t been easy.
“The first thing I did – I was sad for a bit.
“But I set myself goals and reached a couple of them.
“I think as you reach those, you get motivated. Now, I just take it day by day.”
That is a massive blow! 😲💥https://t.co/ODNoHGN07e
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Given the long injury lay-off, the Bulls loose forward said he’s keen to take up an interim mentorship role and share some insights with the franchise’s women’s and junior teams.
“We’re planning some stuff for me to do at the Bulls,” he said.
“While there’s nothing confirmed yet, we’re looking at some sort of coaching or mentorship role with the Bulls Daisies and Under-21’s.”
The loose forward had nothing but praise for his female counterparts and commended their recent Women’s Premier Division success.
The Bulls Daisies claimed their third consecutive WPD trophy after a win over Western Province in the final at Loftus Versfeld at the end of March.
“I’m really proud of the Bulls Daisies,” Louw stated.
“What they’re doing for women’s sport is unbelievable. The way they’ve transformed from an amateur team to a professional setup is amazing.
“They’ve won three consecutive titles, and it just shows – if you give ladies the opportunity to be professional, put them in a good environment with quality coaching, and allow them to play freely without worrying about things off the pitch – amazing things happen.”
