After three successful seasons at Harlequins, Wilco Louw is back in Bulls blue—and he’s not just fitting in, he’s flourishing. In fact, many are calling this his best season yet, with some ranking him as the top-performing tighthead prop in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
In a recent conversation with former Bulls and Namibia international Renaldo Bothma, Louw opened up about his return to South Africa, life at Loftus, and what it means to be back in familiar territory ahead of yet another semi-final.
From Twickenham to Loftus: A Seamless Shift
“Harlequins was an incredible move for me and my family,” Wilco Louw reflected. “We loved it there. The rugby was great and the experience of playing in the Northern Hemisphere taught me a lot—especially handling the cold, wet conditions on tour.”
But home, as they say, is where the heart is.
“Coming back to South Africa has been amazing—being close to family again, and being part of a union like the Bulls. It’s a blessing,” he added.
Wilco Louw
Louw speaks glowingly about the mix of experience and youth in the Bulls camp—something he believes has elevated their culture and performance.
“We’ve got legends like Willie [le Roux] and Johan [Goosen], and exciting talent like Cameron Hanekom coming through. It’s a good mix. But more than anything, we enjoy each other’s company. There’s a real vibe here. The boys want to be at training, and that energy is huge for us.”
Dominance in the Front Row—and the Stats to Back It
Backed by both fans and media, Wilco Louw’s impact this season has been undeniable. Starting 15 of 16 regular-season games, he has been the cornerstone of the Bulls scrum, providing consistency, power, and work rate.
Here’s what the numbers say:
- Tries Scored: 1
- Points Scored: 5
- Carries: 51
- Metres Gained: 54
- Successful Carries: 19
- Defenders Beaten: 3
- Offloads: 1
Louw may not be the flashiest player on the park, but his contribution in the engine room is priceless—just ask his teammates, or the opposition trying to stop the Bulls’ momentum.
Recognition: Elite XV Honours
His exceptional performances didn’t go unnoticed. Louw was named in the URC’s Elite XV, an honor decided by a panel of media experts and analysts. He’s one of three Bulls players included, alongside Cameron Hanekom and Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
URC Elite XV Selection:
- Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls)
- Jamie Osborne (Leinster)
- Darcy Graham (Edinburgh)
- Tom Farrell (Munster)
- Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks)
- Blair Murray (Scarlets)
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers)
- Craig Casey (Munster)
- Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls)
- Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets)
- RG Snyman (Leinster)
- Tadhg Beirne (Munster)
- Jac Morgan (Ospreys)
- Rory Darge (Glasgow)
- Cameron Hanekom (Bulls)
Eyes on the Semis
As the Bulls gear up for their all-South African semi-final clash against the Sharks, Louw will again be central to the battle up front. His return may have been low-key at first, but his season has been anything but.
From Harlequins to Loftus, Wilco Louw is not just back—he’s better than ever.
