Wilco Louw, the Vodacom Bulls prop, has his sights set on a return to the Springboks. But with new rugby laws on the horizon, he's facing a crucial question: can the Springboks maintain their dominance, even with changes aimed at limiting scrum influence?
New Laws Shake Up the Scrum
Last week, World Rugby announced a series of law amendments set to take effect on July 1, 2024. Among the most impactful changes is the removal of the option for teams to choose a scrum from a free-kick. This change aims to keep the ball in motion and reduce the dominance of scrum-heavy strategies.
This move comes after the Springboks, the reigning world champions, utilized their powerful scrum as a key weapon in their 2023 World Cup victory. Understandably, some see this rule change as a direct attempt to curtail the Springbok's tried-and-true strategy.
Louw Remains Optimistic
However, Louw remains confident. He believes that strong forward packs will still have opportunities to assert their dominance. "There will still be knocks in the game. They won't take scrums away completely," Louw stated resolutely during a Bulls conference in Pretoria, ahead of their Vodacom URC clash against Benetton.
"That's only one part they have tried to change."
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