Elrigh Louw is speaking from bitter experience when he backs World Rugby's incoming hip-drop and knee-drop tackle laws, having lost nearly a year of his career to exactly that kind of incident. He's candid about where his form is: back in the green and gold, but not yet back to his best. The more immediate focus is Saturday's Champions Cup opener against Stade Français at Loftus, where Louw is flagging a heavy set-piece contest — and pushing back on any notion that South African sides treat this competition as secondary. The Bulls' record against Stade is strong (47-8 last time out), but Louw is taking nothing for granted against a team built around scrum and maul, with dangerous backs behind them.
Louw backs hip-drop law changes — and warns Bulls face a set-piece battle against Stade Français
Louw endorses the new hip-drop tackle laws from personal experience, admits he's still working back to peak form post-injury, and previews a set-piece-heavy Champions Cup opener against Stade Français at Loftus.
- Elrigh Louw
- Loftus Versfeld
- Vodacom Bulls
Hanekom brutalises Lions as Bulls run riot 57-15 at Loftus
The Bulls overwhelmed the Lions 57-15 at Loftus Versfeld, with Cameron Hanekom, Willie le Roux and Jeandre Rudolph leading a dominant performance capped by a strong finish from the replacements bench.
What the Boks can take from the Bulls' 50-19 lesson against the All Blacks
Ackermann draws two concrete tactical lessons from the Bulls' loss — All Blacks' free-flowing rugby won't fly against Bok defence, and patient pick-and-drive creates real opportunity — while Rennie confirms his touring lineup was far from Test strength ahead of Ellis Park.
Five Bulls players who could make life uncomfortable for the All Blacks at Loftus
The Bulls, unlike the Sharks, have the personnel to genuinely test New Zealand at Loftus — Papier's game-breaking ability, Rudolph's breakdown dominance, le Roux's experience and Bosch's long-awaited return are the specific weapons the piece identifies as reasons to expect a real contest.
Louw and Grobbelaar released to Bulls for All Blacks clash at Loftus
Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar have been released from the Springbok camp to appear off the bench for the Bulls against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, with Johan Ackermann tempering expectations given his squad is three weeks into pre-season.
Louw and Grobbelaar released to Bulls for All Blacks clash at Loftus
Elrigh Louw and Johan Grobbelaar have been released to the Bulls for Saturday's match against the All Blacks at Loftus, with both named on the bench after a single training session back from Argentina. Coach Johan Ackermann acknowledges the side is well short of peak condition.