The Springboks have received a significant boost ahead of the inaugural Nations Championship, with back-row forward Elrigh Louw returning to the national squad after completing his comeback from a serious knee injury with the Bulls.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Louw has been drafted into Rassie Erasmus’ wider squad as additional forward cover and linked up with the Springboks in Johannesburg on Tuesday, just days before South Africa begin their Nations Championship campaign against England.
The 26-year-old has not featured for the world champions since their Autumn Nations Series clash against Wales in November 2024, after suffering a long-term knee injury that ruled him out for the majority of the 2025 season.
Following months of rehabilitation, Louw returned to action with the Bulls during the 2025/26 campaign and quickly rediscovered the form that made him a regular member of the Springbok squad. His impressive performances helped guide the Pretoria side to another strong United Rugby Championship season and earned him a place in South Africa’s recent alignment camps.
Now, he has been rewarded with a full recall as Erasmus bolsters his forward stocks ahead of a demanding opening block of fixtures.
South Africa kick off the inaugural Nations Championship against England at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, before hosting Scotland at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on July 11. Their group-stage campaign concludes a week later against Wales at Kings Park in Durban.
Louw has won 13 Test caps since making his Springbok debut and provides valuable versatility across the back row, with the powerful Bulls forward capable of playing both blindside flanker and No. 8. His return gives Erasmus another experienced option as the Springboks look to become the first nation to lift the new Nations Championship trophy.
LATEST NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS
- 5 Bold Predictions: Nations Championship Round 1 – Springboks hammer England in Johannesburg
- Wales cannot afford to waste their ‘golden’ Nations Championship opportunity
- Nations Championship Explained: Everything you need to know ahead of July’s Southern Series
- Who are the 5 Uncapped Players in the Ireland squad for the Nations Championship?
- Antoine Dupont stood down with immediate effect
