Francois Louw says the Springboks will focus on their World Cup semi-final in Paris on Saturday, before turning their attention to a potential decider with New Zealand.
The reigning champion Boks, who are searching for a record fourth title, face 2003 winners England, 24 hours after the world’s eighth-ranked Argentina – semi-finalists in 2007 and 2015 – will take on three-time champions, the All Blacks. Both matches will take place at Stade de France.
South Africa and New Zealand have locked horns five times at a World Cup, the Kiwis with three wins to SA’s two, and their last meeting was a 23-13 win for the All Blacks in the pool stage of Japan 2019.
Louw, who was an original member of the Bomb Squad and played a key role in the Boks’ World Cup success four years ago, would love to see an all-southern hemisphere final this year between two of rugby’s greatest rivals.
However, speaking on the official World Cup 2023 podcast, the 76-Test former loose forward believes neither team are looking past their last-four opponent, while praising the impact of Bok enforcer Eben Etzebeth in last week’s quarter-final victory over France.
LISTEN: World Champion Boks make a point
KEO: Battered, but not beaten, Boks subdue ferocious French
“I think we have to not get ahead of ourselves. I hope it will be [a Boks-All blacks final]. It will be 1995 in Paris,” the 38-year-old said.
“That is the World Cup I grew up with, that is what put rugby on the map for me. We have got to be careful. This happened a few years ago when teams got too ahead of themselves.
“We have got to get through England. England haven’t been on form, I think we will [get through England] but we still have to do the job.”
Louw added: “[Etzebeth] is a stalwart for us. I think all teams have an enforcer, someone that brings that physicality and that role has changed so much over the years.
“Those players are becoming more and more dynamic, not just a big bruiser but someone who plays really good rugby. I think he has developed his game over time. He’s a tough bloke, he came out charging when he first came onto the international scene.
“To contain that aggression and angle it to a point that is more effective for the team, he has done an amazing job in that. His influence in the victory [against France] was immense.”
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.Photosport.nz