Springbok no. 207 · Loose-head Prop
Boy Louw
Matthys Michael Louw · WP
18Tests
1Tries
2Tours
22Age at debut
Test career
192819331938
First test
18 Aug 1928, age 22 · Lock v New Zealand, Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth
Last test
10 Sep 1938, age 32 · Loose-head Prop v Britain, Newlands, Cape Town
Biography
Boy Louw was known as ‘the master’, a front-rower with an unrivalled knowledge of the laws and a gift for reading a game. Born in Wellington on 21 February 1906 and educated at Paarl Boys’ High, he played for Western Province and won 18 caps between 1928 and 1938, mostly at loose-head prop but also at lock, flank and eighthman.
He was part of the 1931–32 team that beat all four home nations and the 1937 side that won the series in New Zealand. His brother Fanie also played for South Africa. He died on 3 May 1988.
Test history
18 tests · 3 points| Date | Opponent | Venue | Position | Result | Province |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Aug 1928 |  New Zealand | Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth | Lock | W 11–6 | WP |
| 01 Sep 1928 | New Zealand | Newlands, Cape Town | Loose-head Prop | L 5–13 | WP |
| 05 Dec 1931 |  Wales | St. Helens, Swansea | Loose-head Prop | W 8–3 | WP |
| 19 Dec 1931 |  Ireland | Aviva Stadium (Lansdowne Road), Dublin | Loose-head Prop | W 8–3 | WP |
| 02 Jan 1932 |  England | Twickenham, London | Loose-head Prop | W 7–0 | WP |
| 16 Jan 1932 |  Scotland | Murrayfield, Edinburgh | Loose-head Prop | W 6–3 | WP |
| 08 Jul 1933 |  Australia | Newlands, Cape Town | Loose-head Prop | W 17–3 | WP |
| 22 Jul 1933 | Australia | Kingsmead, Durban | Lock | L 6–21 | WP |
| 12 Aug 1933 | Australia | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | Loose-head Prop | W 12–3 | WP |
| 26 Aug 1933 | Australia | Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth | Flank | W 11–0 | WP |
| 02 Sep 1933 | Australia | Springbokpark, Bloemfontein | Flank | L 4–15 | WP |
| 26 Jun 1937 | Australia | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | Eighthman | W 9–5 | WP |
| 17 Jul 1937 | Australia | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | Loose-head Prop | W 26–17 | WP |
| 04 Sep 1937 | New Zealand | Lancaster Park (Jade stadium), Christchurch | Loose-head Prop | W 13–6 | WP |
| 25 Sep 1937 | New Zealand | Eden Park, Auckland | Loose-head Prop | W 17–6 | WP |
| 06 Aug 1938 |  Britain | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | Loose-head Prop | W 26–12 | WP |
| 03 Sep 1938 | Britain | Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth | Loose-head Prop | W 19–3 | WP |
| 10 Sep 1938 | Britain | Newlands, Cape Town | Loose-head Prop | L 16–21 | WP |