Winning the World Cup made it right time to go

After nearly 400 games for club and country, South Africa and Bath star Francois Louw has called it a day. The World Cup-winning back row offers NEALE HARVEY his views on his career, the state of world rugby and what the future holds for himself and Bath.

- FRANCOIS LOUW

How do you reflect on your career?

It really was the fairy tale journey. Being a young South African boy with hopes of playing professionally, playing for Western Province was the initial dream. I achieved that in my second year out of school and the rest is history.

Rugby has taken me to the UK, where I’ve fallen in love with Bath and spent the most time at one club, and as a family we’ve thoroughly enjoyed our time here. To play for a club like Bath with all its history and heritage, everything has been awesome.

Obviously, I wish we could have taken the Premiership title when we reached the final in 2015. It wasn’t to be but I really am retiring with a full and content heart. That year was particularly disappointing because South Africa lost a World Cup semi-final by two points to New Zealand as well, but I got my winner’s medal last year in Japan and it’s the right time to hang up my boots.

To cap things off that way against England in Yokohama after losing your opening game to New Zealand, how do you assess that World Cup now?