Rob Louw

{{short description|South Africa international rugby union & league player}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Rob Louw

| image =

| caption =

| birth_name = Robert James Louw

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1955|3|26}}

| birth_place = Cape Town, Union of South Africa

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height = {{convert|1.89|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|91|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}

| ru_position = Flanker or Number eight

| amatyears1 =

| amatteam1 = Stellenbosch University

| amatteam2 = Defence RFC

| amatteam3 = Gardens–Tech RFC

| ru_amupdate =

| years1 = 1980–1985

| clubs1 = L'Aquila

| apps1 =

| points1 =

| ru_clubupdate =

| ru_currentclub =

| ru_province1 = Western Province

| ru_provinceyears1 = 1978–1985

| ru_provinceapps1 = 81

| ru_provincepoints1 = 72

| ru_provinceupdate =

| ru_sevensnationalyears1 = 2002

| ru_sevensnationalteam1 = South Africa 7s (manager)

| ru_sevensnationalcomp1 = 1

| ru_sevensupdate =

| repteam1 = South Africa

| repyears1 = 1980–1984

| repcaps1 = 19

| reppoints1 = 20

| ru_ntupdate =

| coachteams1 = Rugby Roma

| coachteams2 = Hamilton RFC

| coachyears2 = 1994

| ru_coachupdate =

| occupation =

| spouse = Azille

| children = Robbie, Roxy, Mystique, and Shahnee

| relatives =

| school = Wynberg Boys' High School

| university = Stellenbosch University

| module = {{infobox rugby league biography | embed = yes

| position = {{rlp|LF}}

| year1start = 1985

| year1end = 87

| club1 = Wigan

| appearances1 =

| points1 = 8

}}

Robert James Louw (born 26 March 1955) is a South African rugby footballer who represented South Africa 19 times in international test rugby union. He also played in the Western Province teams that won the Currie Cup five consecutive times.{{cite web|title=Rob Louw|url=http://www.ciplamedpro.co.za/about/brand-ambassadors/rob-louw/|publisher=ciplamedpro.co.za|access-date=11 January 2013}} South African rugby chief Danie Craven rated Louw as "one of the best Springboks ever to represent South Africa", "fast enough to play among the backs", and a "superb ambassador for South Africa" due to "his friendly manner and attractive personality".{{cite web|title=Rob Louw by Doc Craven|publisher=Springbok Rugby Hall of Fame|url=http://www.genslin.us/bokke/SARugby.html|access-date=13 January 2013}}{{cite book|last=Tebbutt|first=P H|title=Samaritan of South African Rugby: History of the Chris Burger/Petro Jackson Players Fund (1980–2010)|year=2010|publisher=African SUN MeDia|pages=15}} Louw was nominated as South African Rugby Player of the Year in 1979 and in 1984.{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=20664 | name=Rob Louw | date=30 May 2016}}

Background

File:Wynberg map.jpg

Rob Louw was born in Wynberg, Cape Town on 26 March 1955 to one of the oldest families of Western descent in South Africa. He has two brothers, Mark and Michael. His ancestor Jan Pieterz Louw (1628–91) moved in 1658 from Caspel ter Maere in the Netherlands to the way-station at the Cape of Good Hope that the Dutch East India Company had established in 1652 (present-day Cape Town). His grandfather, Matthys Michiel Louw (b. 1855), was a nurse at the leper colony established in 1845 on Robben Island, before its transition to a prison. Rob's father, Matthew Michael (Matt) Louw, was born on the island in 1922, and served in the South African Air Force's 30 Squadron in Cairo during World War II. Matt was stationed in Italy for a while, as well as at the military installation on Robben Island in the 1940s, as a radio telegraphist. As a young man Matt had played rugby until a knee injury in 1954 ended his playing career. Due to his love of the game, Matt became a referee, a role in which he continued until he was in his 70s.{{cite web|last=Pistor|first=Faan|title=Robbeneiland: Eiland van Liefde [Robben Island: Island of Love]|url=http://nuwegeskiedenis.co.za/robbeneiland-eiland-van-liefde/|work=Nuwe Geskiedenis [New History]|access-date=13 January 2013|language=af}}

Early life

Louw received his secondary education at Wynberg Boys' High School and his tertiary education at Stellenbosch University.{{cite web|title=Wynberg History: International Sports Representatives|url=http://www.wobu.org.za/heritage_sports_reps.aspx|publisher=Wynberg Old Boys' Union|access-date=11 January 2013}} The Springbok fast bowler Garth le Roux was one of his school mates.[http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1987/11/12/22/9.html] Louw joined the South African Navy, where he was Sportsman of the Year for two consecutive years.{{cite news|title=Martin Vierde Keer Vloot se Sportman [Martin Navy's Sportsman for Fourth Time]|url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1987/11/20/3/6.html|access-date=12 January 2013|newspaper=Die Burger|date=20 November 1987}}

Early career

Louw gained provincial selection to Western Province's 1972–1973 school teams for Craven Week.{{cite news|last=Gilbert|first=Morris|title=Skoleweek is Teelaarde vir Springbokke [School's Week is Breeding Ground for Springboks]|url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1997/07/5/18/6.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Beeld|date=5 July 1997}} In 1975 he was selected for a South African under-21 team that included Gysie Pienaar, Divan Serfontein, and Schalk Burger Sr.{{cite news|title=Tralies Spog met 100 j. se Sportsterre [Central Boasts with 100 y.'s Sports Stars]|url=http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2005/02/07/JP/08/01.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Volksblad|date=7 February 2005}}

As a student he regularly represented his university, which has the most rugby teams of any club in South Africa. At the 1979 Toyota annual national club rugby tournament, Louw scored five tries in Maties' game against Pukke, who lost 9-97. By 1990 Louw's feat still stood as the record for most tries scored by a player during the tournament. The Stellenbosch team set several other records in this 1979 encounter: most points in a match, most tries in a game (16), and the largest win margin. They not only won the 1979 tournament, but set records for most tries in the tournament (26) and most points in the competition (165). Stellenbosch beat Tukkies 27–11 in the final to emerge overall champions.{{cite news|title=Alle Rekords van Groot Toernooi [All Records from the Big Tournament]|url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1990/04/10/18/1.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Beeld|date=10 April 1990}}

Louw played 81 times for Western Province's senior team from 1978 to 1985, appearing in six Currie Cup Finals winning three.{{cite news|last=Van Rooyen|first=Quintus|title=Al Wat Rekord is om die Curriebeker . . . [All That is a Record in the Currie Cup]|url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1992/09/12/999/7.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Beeld|date=12 September 1992}}{{Cite book|title=S.A. Rugby Writers Annual 1986|last=Van Rooyen|first=Quintus|publisher=SA Rugby Writers' Society|year=1986|pages=113–115}} During Province's centenary year celebrations in 1983 he played for his home team on 31 May against a Rest of South Africa team. At the time his home club was given as Defence.{{cite web|title=Western Province Official Centenary Programme, 1883–1983.|url=http://www.rugbyrelics.com/images/aaaaa/ey/37-19830531.jpg|publisher=RugbyRelics.com|access-date=13 January 2013}}

He scored a try in Province's 1984 Currie Cup Final victory of 19–9 over Natal.{{cite news|last=Buchner|first=Christo|title=Epiese Eindstryd Tussen Natal en WP Herhaal? [Epic Final between Natal and WP Repeated?]|url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2000/10/26/1/20.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Beeld|date=26 October 2000}}

International career

Louw made his test début at the New Wanderers Ground in Johannesburg against a South American team on 26 April 1980.{{cite web|title=Rob Louw|url=http://www.sportlegendstrust.co.za/rob-louw/|publisher=Sport Legends Trust|access-date=11 January 2013}} Captained by Morné du Plessis, the South Africans beat their opponents by 24-9 before a crowd of 34,000.{{cite web|title=South America tour – Johannesburg, 26 April 1980.|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/21286.html|publisher=ESPNScrum.com|access-date=11 January 2013}}{{cite web|title=Rob Louw, Springbok|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz7l7_ugGM0|publisher=YouTube.com|access-date=11 January 2013}} Appropriately enough, he finished his test career just over four years later with a match on 27 October 1984 against South America and Spain at Cape Town. The increasing pressure from internal and international opposition to apartheid had rung the death knell for international competition by South Africa's sports teams. Louw had played in 28 Springbok matches, of which 19 were tests; the most notable were probably the 1980 series in South Africa against the British and Irish Lions, and the 1981 tour to New Zealand and the USA.

= British and Irish Lions tour, 1980 =

Louw was selected for all four of South Africa's tests against the touring British and Irish Lions, and scored in each of the first two matches. His first test try came on 31 May at Newlands Stadium, his home ground. Gysie Pienaar had chipped and gathered the ball for a storming run down the right-side of the field before passing to Louw on his inside. Louw evaded a hapless John Carleton with an inside swerve, and scored from 25 metres out, despite the attempts of Lions' wing Mike Slemen. He drove for the try-line with full-back Rodney O'Donnell on his back for the last six metres, and scored before an ecstatic crowd of 40,000.{{cite web|title=British and Irish Lions tour – Cape Town, 31 May 1980.|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/match/21300.html|publisher=ESPNScrum.com|access-date=11 January 2013}}

In the second test match at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on 14 June, Louw scored in the 12th minute of the game. Wing Gerrie Germishuys had intercepted a cross-field kick by the Lions' Andy Irvine and sprinted down the left-side of the field, wrong-footing a retreating John Carleton with an outside-inside swerve. Germishuys passed to Louw, who gave the ball to Willie du Plessis upon being tackled himself. Louw jumped up and ran himself into position on Du Plessis' inside to take his second pass. The cross-cover defense of Ray Gravell arrived too late to stop Louw's try in the corner.{{cite news|title=Irivine's Costly Mistake|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Rl1BAAAAIBAJ&dq=rugby%20rob-louw&pg=3394%2C2648736|access-date=11 January 2013|newspaper=Evening Times (Scotland)|date=14 June 1980}}{{cite news|title=Springboks' Late Burst Fells Lions|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-f1jAAAAIBAJ&dq=rugby%20rob-louw&pg=3433%2C5411742|access-date=11 January 2013|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=16 June 1980}} Before the match The Glasgow Herald had noted the pace of Louw, matched with that of Du Plessis, gave the Springboks "a marked superiority".{{cite news|title=Davies the Key Man for Lions|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZsJAAAAAIBAJ&dq=rugby%20rob-louw&pg=6160%2C3073717|access-date=11 January 2013|newspaper=The Glasgow Herald|date=14 June 1980}}

= New Zealand tour, 1981 =

The Springbok tour to New Zealand met a barrage of protests against the policy of apartheid. Protesters opposed the tour as part of an international anti-apartheid movement that believed in denying economic, sporting and cultural contact with South Africa. The movement wanted to isolate the South African government and force it to negotiate with the liberation movements, particularly the African National Congress.

On the tour, Louw shared a room with coloured flyhalf Errol Tobias. In an interview reported in The Sydney Morning Herald, Louw claimed that black and coloured players were proud of the Springboks and that rugby had created a sense of unity among South Africans.{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Malcolm|title=We're Heroes to Blacks at Home, says Springbok|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9ahWAAAAIBAJ&dq=rugby%20rob-louw&pg=5878%2C5110270|access-date=11 January 2013|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=14 August 1981}} Due to his friendship with Tobias, Louw was not well-regarded by team manager Johan Claassen and coach Nelie Smith.{{cite news|last=Wyngaard|first=Heindrich|title=Errol Tobias 'Hou nie Boek' van Toer in 1981 [Tobias Does Not Brood on 1981 Tour]|url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2001/08/25/7/1.html|access-date=12 January 2013|newspaper=Die Burger|date=25 August 2001}} Reflecting on the tour 15 years later, former Springbok flank Boland Coetzee praised Louw and Hempies du Toit for their efforts to make Tobias feel welcome.{{cite news|last=Breytenbach|first=Phillippa|title=Radiorubriek: 'Ou Bokke Hou van Jong Blare' was Luisterplesier [Radio Column: 'Old Boks like Young Leaves' was Listening Pleasure]|url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1996/08/29/3/1.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Beeld|date=29 August 1996}}

The All Black visit to South Africa in 1985 was cancelled due to political pressure from anti-apartheid organizations. Trials had already been held to select a national squad. To compensate South African players for the cancellation, the South African Rugby Board selected a so-called "Shadow" Springbok team for an internal tour. The team included Louw and two players of colour, Dolly Ntaka from the black South African Rugby Association, and Wilfred Cupido from the coloured Western Province Leagues.{{cite web|last=Griffiths|first=John|title=Ask John: Players Scoring Four Tries in a Test for the Wallabies, Samoan-born All Blacks and the Crawshay's|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/115386.html|publisher=ESPNScrum.com|access-date=12 January 2013|date=10 May 2010}}

= International caps =

No.	Opposition	Result	Position	Tries	Date	Venue
class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width=100%
style="background: #D0E6FF;" \| 1.	South America	24 – 9	Flank		26 April 1980	Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
2.	South America	18 – 9	Flank		3 May 1980	Kings Park Stadium, Durban
style="background: #D0E6FF;" \| 3.	British and Irish Lions	26 – 22	Flank	1	31 May 1980	Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
4.	British and Irish Lions	26 – 19	Flank	1	14 June 1980	Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
style="background: #D0E6FF;" \| 5.	British and Irish Lions	12 – 10	Flank		28 June 1980	EPRU Stadium, Port Elizabeth
6.	British and Irish Lions	13 – 17	Flank		12 July 1980	Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
style="background: #D0E6FF;" \| 7.	South America	22 – 13	Flank		18 October 1980	Wanderers, Montevideo
8.	South America	30 – 16	Flank		25 October 1980	Prince of Wales Cricket Club, Santiago
style="background: #D0E6FF;" \| 9.	France	37 – 15	Flank		8 November 1980	Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
10.	Ireland	23 – 15	Flank	1	30 May 1981	Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
style="background: #D0E6FF;" \| 11.	Ireland	12 – 10	Flank		6 June 1981	Kings Park Stadium, Durban
12.	New Zealand	9 – 14	No. 8		15 August 1981	AMI Stadium, Christchurch
style="background: #D0E6FF;" \| 13.	New Zealand	22 – 25	Flank		12 September 1981	Eden Park, Auckland
14.	South America	50 – 18	Flank		27 March 1982	Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
style="background: #D0E6FF;" \| 15.	South America	12 – 21	Flank		3 April 1982	Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
16.	England	33 – 15	Flank	1	2 June 1984	EPRU Stadium, Port Elizabeth
style="background: #D0E6FF;" \| 17.	England	35 – 9	Flank		9 June 1984	Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
18.	South America	32 – 15	Flank	1	20 October 1984	Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
style="background: #D0E6FF;" \| 19.	South America	21 – 13	Flank		27 October 1984	Newlands Stadium, Cape Town

Playing abroad

= L'Aquila, 1980–1985 =

File:L'Aquila Piazza del Duomo 2007 by-RaBoe.jpg, capital of the Abruzzo region and Louw's Italian base during the 1980s.]]

Louw was probably the first rugby player of international standard to play rugby in Italy regularly, from 1980 to 1985.{{cite web|last=Griffiths|first=John|title=Ask John: Home Unions Against Tri Nations, NZ Maori's Unbeaten Run and Leading Test Players in Italy|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/118928.html|publisher=ESPNScrum.com|access-date=12 January 2013|date=21 June 2010}}{{cite book|title=A Survey of Race Relations in South Africa, 1982|year=1983|publisher=South African Institute of Race Relations|location=Johannesburg|pages=597}} Louw played in the L'Aquila team of 1980–1981 which won the Italian league title, beating Treviso 39–33.{{cite web|last=Battistelli|first=Francesco|title=Il Campionato e le Coppe di Rugby: Campionato Italiano dal 1981 al 1995|url=http://www.batsweb.org/Sport/Varie/Rugby/club1981.htm|access-date=13 January 2013}} He later returned to coach Rugby Roma.{{cite news|title=Blonde Bombshell Riding a Wave of Success|url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/blonde-bombshell-riding-a-wave-of-success-1.1096325?ot=inmsa.ArticlePrintPageLayout.ot|access-date=11 January 2013|newspaper=IOL.co.za|date=10 July 2011}}{{cite web|title=Polisportiva L'Aquila Rugby Website|url=http://www.polisportivalaquilarugby.it/lastoria/lastoria.htm|publisher=PoliSportivalAquilaRugby.it|access-date=11 January 2013}}

= Wigan, 1985–1987 =

After the cancellation of the 1985 All Black tour to South Africa due to South Africa's apartheid policies, Louw joined the professional rugby league club Wigan in England, accompanied by Springbok teammate Ray Mordt.{{cite web|last=Hancox|first=Timmy|title=The Boks who went to Wigan|url=http://www.rugbyrugby.com/news/features/rugby_rugby_features/6998931/the_boks_who_went_to_wigan|publisher=RugbyRugby.com|access-date=11 January 2013}} Louw and Mordt's actions caused Danie Craven to inveigle against "traitors", in the context not only of the antipathy between rugby union and rugby league,{{cite web|last=Melling|first=Phil|title=Definitions for Definers, not the Defined|url=http://www.aafla.org/SportsLibrary/SportsHistorian/1996/sh16d.pdf|publisher=aafla.org|access-date=11 January 2013}} but also because rugby union at the time was committed to amateurism as guiding principle.{{cite web|last=De Villiers|first=Pierre|title=Scrum For the Possession of Rugby.|url=http://academic.sun.ac.za/journalism/sji/1995/rugby.htm|work=Stellenbosch Journalism Insight 1995|publisher=academic.sun.ac.za|author2=JJ Harmse |year=1995}}{{cite web|title=Rob Louw – Career Stats & Summary|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/rob-louw/summary.html|publisher=Rugby League Project|access-date=11 January 2013}} In order to sign on at Wigan, Louw and Mordt had to relinquish their amateur status, which excluded them from further involvement with rugby union at the time.{{cite news|last=Swift|first=Jon|title=Can Mordt Sidestep The IRB|url=http://mg.co.za/article/1994-08-26-can-mordt-sidestep-the-irb|access-date=11 January 2013|newspaper=Mail & Guardian|date=26 August 1994}}

Initially Louw had to play in Wigan's second team, but recently appointed New Zealand coach Graham Lowe soon included him as a lock, alongside Ian Potter, in the first team.{{cite news|title=Rob Nou Gevreesde Slot [Rob Now a Feared Lock]|url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1986/09/27/18/2.html|access-date=12 January 2013|newspaper=Die Burger|date=27 September 1986}} Despite good performances by Louw and fellow-South African Nick du Toit in the last games of the season, Wigan lost by one point to Halifax in the race for the 1986 British rugby league title.{{cite web|title=Louw en Mordt Puik, Maar...Wigan Wen Nie Beroepsliga [Louw and Mordt Excellent, But...Wigan Does Not Win Professional League]|url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1986/04/22/19/7.html|newspaper=Die Burger|access-date=12 January 2013}}{{cite news|title=Rob-Hulle Tweede in Geldrugby [Rob and Company Second in Money Rugby]|url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1986/05/01/20/21.html|access-date=12 January 2013|newspaper=Die Burger|date=1 May 1986}}

Rob Louw appeared as a substitute (replacing {{rlp|sr}} Ian Roberts) in Wigan's 15–8 victory over Oldham in the 1986 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1986–87 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens, on Sunday 19 October 1986.{{cite web|url=http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/index.php?page_id=684|title=1986–1987 Lancashire Cup Final|publisher=wigan.rlfans.com|date=31 December 2011|access-date=1 January 2012}}

In 1987, Louw was on the reserve bench but was not used when Wigan beat Warrington to retain the John Player Special Trophy, while Mordt did not make the team.{{cite news|title=Wigan Behou Trofee [Wigan Retains Trophy]|url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1987/01/12/15/15.html|access-date=12 January 2013|newspaper=Die Burger|date=12 January 1987}} Louw made enough appearances to win a league medal as Wigan won the league in 1986/87.{{Cite web|url=http://wigan.rlfans.com/readarticle.php?article_id=658|title=Wigan Warriors Rugby League Fan Site – www.cherryandwhite.co.uk|website=wigan.rlfans.com|access-date=2018-01-24}}

= World XVs, 1984, 1997 =

Louw was selected for two world fifteen matches abroad, both in 1984, and he also played for a South African invitational team against a World XV in 1997.

To commemorate the completion of Cardiff Arms Park, an invitational Wales Rugby Union President's XV was selected to play Wales in 1984. Louw was appointed captain of the President's XV, which included All Blacks Gary Whetton and Steven Pokere, Australian Roger Gould and Peter Grigg, and fellow-South Africans Wilfred Cupido (a coloured player, selected for the Springboks' internal tour of South Africa in 1985) and Henning van Aswegen.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121022125517/http://rugbyrelics.com/images/aaaaa/ud/18.jpg]

On 3 April the World XV encountered Crawshay's Welsh Rugby Football Club at Stradey Park in Llanelli.{{cite web|title=Crawshay's Welsh RFC vs. WRU President's XV|url=http://www.rugbyrelics.com/images/aaaaa/ex/75-19840403.jpg|publisher=RugbyRelics.com|access-date=13 January 2013}}

Louw was included in the RFU President's XV five months later that played against England on 29 September 1984. Danie Gerber, Errol Tobias, and Rudi Visagie were among his teammates, while the England squad included Rob Andrew, Rory Underwood and Clive Woodward.{{cite web|title=England XV v R.F.U President's XV|url=http://www.rugbyrelics.com/rugby-photos.htm|publisher=RugbyRelics.com|access-date=15 January 2013|date=29 September 1984}}

In 1997, Louw played in a South African team against a World XV in Stellenbosch to benefit Keith Andrews and Robert Jones. The South African team included Danie Gerber, Breyton Paulse and Nick Mallett, while the World XV boasted Scotland's Gavin Hastings, the Frenchmen Philippe Saint-André and Philippe Sella, Wales' Phil Davies, and England's Peter Winterbottom and Mike Teague.{{cite news|last=Koopman|first=Andrew|title=Rugby Se Groot Name in Kaap [Rugby's Big Names at the Cape]|url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1997/05/22/18/7.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Beeld|date=22 May 1997}}{{cite web|title=Keith Andrews vs Robert Jones. SA Invitational XV vs World XV. Official Programme|url=http://www.rugbyrelics.com/images/aaaaa/it/78.jpg|publisher=RugbyRelics.com|access-date=15 January 2013|date=19 June 1997}}{{cite web|title=Keith Andrews vs Robert Jones. SA Invitational XV vs World XV. (Team List)|url=http://www.rugbyrelics.com/images/aaaaa/ew/33-TB15.jpg|publisher=RugbyRelics.com|access-date=15 January 2013|date=19 June 1997}}

= Classics tournaments =

Louw has turned out in several tournaments for former international players.{{cite news|last=Zaayman|first=Phil|title=Bok-flank Met Charisma: Dié Nice Guy Het Nie 2de Gekom Nie [Rob Louw: Bok-flank with Charisma. This Nice Guy Did Not Come Second]|url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/rapport/1999/03/21/9/5.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Rapport|date=21 March 1999}} In November 1997, he participated in the World Rugby Classic series in Bermuda, alongside Wilfred Cupido, Helgard Muller, and Mkaya Jack.{{cite web|title=The 10th World Rugby Classic, Bermuda. Nov. 9-15, 1997. (Programme)|url=http://www.rugbyrelics.com/images/aaaaa/it/25.jpg|publisher=RugbyRelics.com|access-date=15 January 2013}}{{cite web|title=The 10th World Rugby Classic, Bermuda. (Team Lists))|url=http://www.rugbyrelics.com/images/aaaaa/ew/18-TB15.jpg|access-date=15 January 2013|year=1997}}{{cite news|title=DStv|url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1997/01/4/12/6.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Beeld|date=4 January 1997}} In April 2000 he played in the Golden Oldies tournament in Japan, along with Gysie Pienaar, Avril Williams, Wilfred Cupido, Divan Serfontein, Burger Geldenhuys, and Eben Jansen.{{cite news|title=Sportnuus van Oral: Oud-Bokke Japan Toe. [Sports News from Everywhere: Former Boks to Japan]|url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2000/04/25/2/16.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Beeld|date=25 April 2000}} In March 2004, Louw was in the squad for the match between the Springbok Legends and the Puma Classics of Argentina at the Olivos Rugby Club in Buenos Aires. Others in the squad included John Allan, James Small, Pieter Hendriks, Garth Wright, Zithobile Ntaka, Dick Muir, and Gary Teichmann.{{cite news|title=Bok-Legendes se Wedstryd op TV|url=http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2004/03/05/VB/19k/10.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Volksblad|date=5 March 2004}}

Further rugby involvement

Louw applied to the South African Rugby Board (SARB) in 1988 for reinstatement as an amateur in order to play in and coach a South African Defence Force club. Louw's appeal was based on an International Rugby Board rule that allowed former professional players to play for Defence Force clubs. The disciplinary committee of the SARB rejected Louw's appeal on the grounds that he was not a serving member of the Defence Force, even though he was a Navy reservist at the time.{{cite news|title=Rob Verbied om te Speel [Rob Forbidden to Play]|url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1988/02/18/18/7.html|access-date=12 January 2013|newspaper=Die Burger|date=18 February 1988}} By 1994, Louw had been allowed to return to rugby, and was coaching Hamilton Rugby Football Club in Greenpoint.{{cite news|last=Joubert|first=Fritz|title=WP Nooi 44 na Oefening [WP Invites 44 to Practice]|url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1994/01/14/12/13.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Beeld|date=14 January 1994}}

In 1992, Louw was included in a South African Veterans' B team which played against an A team at Dan QueQue Stadium in the black township of New Brighton, Port Elizabeth. The match was notable for the exploits of Bantu Holomisa, who sprinted 40 metres to score a try for the A team, which won 35–34. Other members of the team included Hennie Bekker, alongside players of colour such as Godfrey Symons and Aslam Toefy. Louw succeeded with a goal kick for the B team, which included Norman Xhoxho, Zola Dunjwa and Zola Yeye. In the main curtain raiser, an invitational A team was beaten 52-47 by a B team that included Mike Catt, who later represented England in their Rugby World Cup Final victory in 2003.{{cite news|title=Genl. Holomisa Baljaar Saam met Oud-'Bokke [Genl. Holomisa Romps with ex-Boks]|url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1992/10/5/12/3.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Beeld|date=5 October 1992}}

Louw served as manager of South Africa's Sevens rugby team at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in July 2002.{{cite news|last=Human|first=Eben|title=Strawwe teenstand in Engeland verwag|url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2002/07/10/15/5.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Beeld|date=10 July 2002}} Earlier that year he was one of the co-presenters on four training programs in Gauteng that was co-sponsored by rugby ball manufacturer Gilbert and the Afrikaans newspaper Beeld.{{cite news|title=Bokke Bied ugbykursus aan|url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2002/02/05/13/2.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Beeld|date=5 February 2002}}

Family

Louw is married to Azille and is the father of a son, Robbie, and three daughters: Mystique, Shahnee, and Roxanne (Roxy), a model who was the face of Oakley's 2005-2010 international advertising campaign.{{cite news|title=Rob Louw Oorwin Nuwe Vrees [Rob Louw Conquers New Fear]|url=http://huisgenoot.com/bekendes/rob-louw-oorwin-nuwe-vrees/|access-date=14 January 2013|newspaper=Huisgenoot|date=18 January 2011}} Azille returned in April 1987 to Cape Town so that Roxy could be born in South Africa. Louw followed at the end of May.{{cite news|title=Bel Rob Drie Keer 'n Dag – Azille Kom Huis Toe vir Eerste [Phones Rob Three Times a Day – Azille Comes Home For First]|url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1987/04/29/15/4.html|access-date=12 January 2013|newspaper=Die Burger|date=29 April 1987}} The Louws live in Durbanville, a rural residential suburb of the greater Cape Town Metropolis.

Personal life and health

Louw sued SA Sports Illustrated in 1987 to prevent the magazine from publishing a photograph in which the rugby player posed in such a way as to suggest that he was naked, apart from a strategically placed rugby ball. The image was meant to mirror a similar one of South African cricket captain Clive Rice, published a couple of years previously. SA Sports Illustrated and Louw settled the matter out of court, with the magazine agreeing not to publish.{{cite news|title=Rob, Tydskrif Skik Oor 'Naak'-Foto [Rob, Magazine Settle Over 'Naked Photo']|url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1987/06/23/2/4.html|access-date=12 January 2013|newspaper=Die Burger|date=23 June 1987}}

In 1990, Louw incurred serious injuries to his right upper arm during the Mykonos Cup race for inflatable rubber boats at Langebaan lagoon.{{cite news|title=Rob Louw Uit Waakeenheid [Rob Louw Out of Intensive Care Unit]|url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1990/12/6/4/11.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Beeld|date=6 December 1990}} Louw was flung from his boat and mauled by the propeller blade of another competitor. Only the fast action of his brother, Mark, and para-medics prevented him from bleeding to death, as the main artery in the arm had been punctured. Due to a three-hour operation, he recovered full use of his arm, to the extent that he participated in the Yellow Pages celebrity car race at the Kyalami racing circuit eight months later.{{cite news|last=Van Rensburg|first=Ben|title=Seiljagveteraan Martin 'Vaar' Ook op Kyalami [Yach Race Veteran Martin Also 'Sails' at Kyalami]|url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1991/08/19/9/1.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Beeld|date=19 August 1991}}

Louw was a passenger on a Cessna aircraft that crashed on landing on a game reserve runway in Mpumalanga, South Africa, in 2005. Apart from whiplash, the five passengers were not badly injured, but the aircraft was heavily damaged.{{cite web|last=Breytenbach|first=Karen|title=Ex-Bok Drinks to 'Being Alive' After Crash|url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/ex-bok-drinks-to-being-alive-after-crash-1.251593#.UPCd3LZF9eo|publisher=IOL.co.za|access-date=11 January 2013|date=24 August 2005}}

File:Biliary system multilingual.svg

During a gallbladder operation in 2009, surgeons detected aggressive metastatic melanoma in Louw, and the prognosis was that he had five months left to live.{{cite news|title=Rob Louw se Wonderwerk [Rob Louw's Miracle]|url=http://huisgenoot.com/bekendes/rob-louw-se-wonderwerk/|access-date=14 January 2013|newspaper=Huisgenoot|date=25 January 2010}} Due to the advanced stage of the cancer, Louw was flown to Houston, Texas on 16 October with the help of Stellenbosch magnate Johann Rupert. At the MD Anderson Cancer Center, portions of his duodenum and liver were removed in two operations, and he remained hospitalized for three months.{{cite news|last=Malan|first=Marlene|title=Borrie Dokter Oud-Bok Glo Perdfris [Turmeric Believed to Heal Ex-Bok]|url=http://www.rapport.co.za/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Borrie-dokter-oud-Bok-glo-perdfris-20100213|access-date=14 January 2013|newspaper=Rapport|date=13 February 2010}}{{cite web|last=Retief|first=Dan|title=Rob Louw Hit by Cancer Scare|url=http://www.supersport.com/rugby/article.aspx?id=319850&headline=Rob%20Louw%20hit%20by%20cancer%20scare|publisher=supersport.com|access-date=11 January 2013|date=16 October 2009}} Two weeks after the diagnosis Louw, still in the United States, and former Springbok Robbie Fleck urged crowds attending the Currie Cup Final to wear pink to promote awareness of cancer.{{cite web|last=Kahn |first=Howard |title=Wear pink for Rob |url=http://sport.iafrica.com/rugby/news/2020781.htm |publisher=iAfrica.com |access-date=11 January 2013 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091102063316/http://sport.iafrica.com/rugby/news/2020781.htm |archive-date=2 November 2009 }} After his treatment Louw started using a mixture of herbs to improve his immune system, extolling the virtues of turmeric (Afrikaans, "borrie"), green tea, and black pepper in particular. Although the cancer was in remission, Louw was required to undergo medical scans every three months, which in December 2011 uncovered a growth in his duodenum which had to be excised.

Since his medical diagnosis, Louw has been part of several campaigns to raise awareness of melanoma and cancer, as well as to raise funds for treatment of others. For example, in February 2010, he appeared with other members of the South African Rugby Legends organization at a fundraiser in Cape Town.{{cite web|last=Nicholl|first=Dan|title=Hats Off to Rob Louw|url=http://sport.iafrica.com/columns/dan_world/571588.html|publisher=iAfrica.com|access-date=17 January 2013|date=3 February 2010}} He also worked with The South African Melanoma Advisory Board in this regard.{{cite web|title=Protect Your Skin – and Save Your Life|url=http://www.melanoma.co.za/D_doccnr_Protect_Your_Skin.asp|publisher=South African Melanoma Advisory Board|access-date=17 January 2013}}

Business interests

Louw started a company for manufacturing and racing inflatable boats in 1988, which was registered as Robbiduck in October 1993.{{cite news|title=Oud-Bok Sterf Byna in Wedvaart [Ex-Bok Nearly Dies in Race]|url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1990/12/03/1/4.html|access-date=12 January 2013|newspaper=Die Burger|date=3 December 1990}}{{cite web|title=Robbiduck|url=http://www.cipro.co.za/ccc/EntDet.asp?T1=%D2%47%2C%8C%53%C0%1D%BC%11%BF%38%81%BE%AB%21&T2=ROBBIDUCK|publisher=Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (South Africa)|access-date=17 January 2013}} In the 1991 Trans-Agulhas challenge race some 25 teams used the company's boats, with Mark Louw racing a catamaran design called Thunderduck. After participating in an inflatable race in Australia in 1990 in one of his Robbiduck boats, Louw obtained an exclusive contract to export them to that country.{{cite news|title=Rob Kry Boot-Kontrak [Rob Gets Boat Contract]|url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1990/09/5/4/7.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Beeld|date=5 September 1990}} A similar pattern followed in the United States and Australia. Robbiduck was exporting to California by 1991, and Robbiduck boats broke a world speed record in 1992 at San Diego.{{cite news|title=Robbiducks Goed Voorberei|url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1991/12/27/6/4.html|access-date=16 January 2013|newspaper=Die Burger|date=27 December 1991}}

Louw moved his factory from its first location on Cape Town's Waterfront in 1992, by which time the number of workers had increased from one to 25. Thunderducks were exported to California, leading the American Power Boat Association to create a new category in racing inflatables.{{cite news|title=Robbiduck Presteer Plaaslik, Oorsee [Robbiduck Does Well Locally, Abroad]|url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/1993/01/29/8/7.html|access-date=16 January 2013|newspaper=Die Burger|date=29 January 1993}} Thunderduck Inflatables, Inc. was formed in 1996 in San Diego, California, to import Thunderducks to the United States. The company reportedly attracted contracts with Navy Seal Team Command and US civilian companies.{{cite web|title=Thunderduck Inflatables, Inc. |url=http://www.thunderduckinflatables.com/about_us/ |publisher=Thunderduckinflatables.com |access-date=16 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091023072833/http://www.thunderduckinflatables.com/about_us/ |archive-date=23 October 2009 }}{{cite web|title=Thunderduck Inflatable Boats, Inc. Company Profile|url=http://www.fedvendor.com/contractor/PRO000000000P0225145/profile.htm|publisher=FedVendor.com|access-date=16 January 2013}}

In May 1994, Rob and Mark Louw obtained a court order for the provisional liquidation of Adventure Sports Enterprises, the inflatable rubber boat company in which both had shares. The court heard that the company had suffered as a result of an economic recession, and that it owed Louw R225,000.{{cite news|title=Rob Louw Dien Aansoek In [Louw Submits Application]|url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/1994/05/20/2/11.html|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=Beeld|date=20 May 1994}} Due to Louw's inability to manage Robbiduck after his Mykonos Cup accident, Mark reportedly took over the running of Robbiduck and started his own company, Mako Inflatables, in 1995.{{cite web|title=ASIS Clarification of Relationship with Mako Inflatables|url=http://forums.hotribs.com/showthread.php?t=396|publisher=HotRibs.com|access-date=17 January 2013}}

Louw is currently the managing director of Robbi Thatch, a roof thatching business that he started in 1989.[http://www.robbithatch.co.za] In 2000 he became the Cape regional representative for MexSport, former All-Black Murray Mexted's rugby agency.{{cite news|last=Robson|first=Jos|title=Mexted Aims to Keep Overseas Boks Loyal|url=http://www.iol.co.za/sport/mexted-aims-to-keep-overseas-boks-loyal-1.344889?ot=inmsa.ArticlePrintPageLayout.ot|access-date=14 January 2013|newspaper=IOL.co.za|date=19 August 2000}}

References

External links

Rob Louw, [https://twitter.com/roblouw6 Twitter account]
{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=20664 | name=Rob Louw | date=30 May 2016}}
Rob Louw, Springbok, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz7l7_ugGM0 YouTube Video]
Rob Louw, [http://www.espnscrum.com/southafrica/rugby/player/9134.html ESPN Scrum Profile]

Category:1955 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century South African sportsmen

Category:Afrikaner people

Category:Alumni of Wynberg Boys' High School

Category:Rugby league locks

Category:Rugby league players from the Western Cape

Category:Rugby union flankers

Category:Rugby union players from Cape Town

Category:South Africa international rugby union players

Category:South African expatriate rugby league players in England

Category:South African expatriate rugby league players