Rob Louw
Full names: Robert James
Date of birth: 26 Mar 1955
Place of birth: Cape Town
School: Wynberg Boys High
Springbok no: 505
Springbok debut province: Western Province
Physical: 1.93m, 93.0kg
Current age: 69
Test summary: Tests: 19 Tries: 5
First Test: 26 Apr 1980 Age 25 - Flank against South America at Wanderers, Johannesburg
Last Test: 27 Oct 1984 Age 29 - Flank against South America at Newlands, Cape Town
Tours South America 1980 New Zealand & USA 1981
Test history:
DateAgePositionOpponentVenueResultScoreProvince
26 Apr 1980 25Flank South America Wanderers, Johannesburg Win: 24-9  WP
03 May 1980 25Flank South America Kingspark, Durban Win: 18-9  WP
31 May 1980 25Flank Britain Newlands, Cape Town Win: 26-221 try WP
14 Jun 1980 25Flank Britain Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein Win: 26-191 try WP
28 Jun 1980 25Flank Britain Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth Win: 12-10  WP
12 Jul 1980 25Flank Britain Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Lose: 13-17  WP
18 Oct 1980 25Flank South America Wanderers Club, Montevideo Win: 22-13  WP
25 Oct 1980 25Flank South America Prince of Wales Country Club, Santiago Win: 30-16  WP
08 Nov 1980 25Flank France Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Win: 37-15  WP
30 May 1981 26Flank Ireland Newlands, Cape Town Win: 23-151 try WP
06 Jun 1981 26Flank Ireland Kingspark, Durban Win: 12-10  WP
15 Aug 1981 26Eighthman New Zealand Lancaster Park (Jade stadium), Christchurch Lose: 9-14  WP
12 Sep 1981 26Flank New Zealand Eden Park, Auckland Lose: 22-25  WP
27 Mar 1982 27Flank South America Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Win: 50-18  WP
03 Apr 1982 27Flank South America Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein Lose: 12-21  WP
02 Jun 1984 29Flank England Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth Win: 33-151 try WP
09 Jun 1984 29Flank England Ellispark, Johannesburg Win: 35-9  WP
20 Oct 1984 29Flank South America Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Win: 32-151 try WP
27 Oct 1984 29Flank South America Newlands, Cape Town Win: 22-13  WP

Rob, unlike the other Louws, who were all tight forwards, specialised as a loose forward. He had speed, agility and anticipation and could handle the ball like a three-quarter.

As a forward, he had the weight as well as mobility. He was fast enough to play among the backs and as such must be rated as one of the best Springboks ever to represent South Africa.

Rob had the habit of popping up whenever and wherever he was least expected and with that knack he scored a wonderful try against the 1980 Lions. Rob Louw - a superb ambassador for South Africa on the 1981 tour of New Zealand. His friendly manner and attractive personality overcame many obstacles.